With the weather changing and the temperature drops, students are beginning to fall ill.

As coughs and sneezes around classrooms, it is not surprising that these slight colds are being passed from Aggie to Aggie.

“I am currently sick so I just make sure I go to bed early enough to get my full amount of sleep at night and have time to get up and take extra steps to make sure that I’m good to go to class that day,” said Ariel Gilmer, a senior marketing major from Charlotte.

Some students are opt to visit a health professional to what’s wrong, while others use this time to self-diagnose and conjure up “excuse notes” to get out of class.

Before you Google your symptoms and think of the worst scenario, be sure to visit Sebastian Health Center to receive a professional opinion.

Nurse supervisor, Yvonne Parks wants students to know “we are officially in flu season.”

It is extremely important that students take complete precaution when dealing with colds and their allergies.

“Knowing all the symptoms of the flu and proper hand sanitizing is very important to the health of students during this season,” said Parks.

Students should wash their hands after frequently touching items on campus such as doors, computers, pens and stair rails.

Sanitizing, increases chance s of avoiding the flu or passing illness on to others.

When students are affected with the flu, or even if they have flu-like symptoms, Parks suggest that “those students should come in to Sebastian to be treated as soon as possible.

The sooner we are able to treat the student, the less time they will have to spend out of class and in solitude.”

Sebastian Health Center’s main concern for all students this season is to ensure they are treated effectively and that they are able to avoid coming into contact with the flu virus.

Parks hopes to have a mild flu season, similar to last year, but she wants all students to be aware of their surroundings.

Not only on campus but within the city of Greensboro as well, flu season is a hot topic for physicians and health centers.

Having access to the Guilford County Department of Public Health and the Triad HealthCare Network in partnership with Cone Health, who are making sure residents of Greensboro are taken care of as well.

According to a monthly column written by Dr. Edward N. Robinson Jr., Medical Director, Guilford County Department of Public Health, individuals need to take precaution of the weather and take care of themselves when seeing symptoms. He emphasizes that a flu shot is the first plan of action along with using other medicines to treat other flu-like symptoms.

He notes that in any case where you may have a fever and or aches and pain, over counter drugs such as Motrin, Tylenol would be useful in treatment. Robinson addresses other ways to prevent and help with curing oneself.

“[I] haven’t been sick yet but I am taking vitamins daily to prevent that from happening. I’m anemic so I make sure I bundle up even if I look like I’m going snow surfing,” said Neque Willis, a junior supply management major from Charlotte.

In order to stay healthy and to prevent the spread of any colds or flu, be sure to sanitize frequently, cover your mouth when coughing, see a professional immediately if you are not feeling well and stay well rested.

For any information, utilize resources such as Sebastian Health Center, area hospitals and clinics, and the Guilford County Department of Public Health on flu shots and prevention in this cold and flu season, you can call to set up an appointment.

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• Courtney Young