Fall has finally hit, the cool weather has made its way around once again. Being that it is the dry season, you have to prepare yourself for the weather. Keeping hair and skin moisturized is a vital key to making it through the cold weather. Always carry moisturizer with you to keep your face and hands from becoming dry and irritated. Using a scrubber during a shower can also help with the dry skin. The cold winds tend to dry out your lips quicker than they would during the summer time so it is helpful to keep a lip balm or a type of petroleum jelly will your lips moisturized.
Flu season is also drawing near; Influenza is a highly contagious infection. Each winter season many students come down with a cough, and may mistake it as the common cold. “The common cold and the flu share many similar symptoms, but the flu is often accompanied with a fever Normal body temperature is 98.6 Fahrenheit” says Dr. Ruth Phillips the Wellness Promotion Coordinator at Sebastian Health Center. A fever is considered when your body temperature is greater than 100.0 Fahrenheit. If you have a fever, you should stay home from class or work until after 24 hours of being fever free without the use of medication.
Dr. Ruth suggests that you dress appropriately, according to the weather, and wear a light jacket, sweater or coat to keep warm.
Flu like symptoms may include fever, muscle aches and pains, soreness of the throat, non- stop headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, runny or stuffy nose. You can infect someone with the flu a day prior to getting the symptoms. It is important that you take care of yourself. To help prevent experiencing these symptoms visit Sebastian Health Center located on the south side of campus.
Flu season is said to begin in October and end in May. According to the Guilford County Health Department.
The most important thing students do is wash your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue whenever you cough, or use the fold in the inside of your elbow. “Avoid contact with others who are sick, and wipe down objects that are touched regularly” says Dr. Ruth.
The health center currently offers flu shots. It will be free for students who have insurance under the school, and $38 for students who have their own insurance. This fee will cover the cost of administration and injection.
Guilford County Health Department will also be offering Flu Vaccinations. “Adults who have no insurance or UnitedHealth Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Medicare insurances will pay the entire vaccination fee at the time of the service” according to the Guilford County Health Department website. All children 6 months to 18 years old, insured and non-insured, are also eligible to receive state supplied flu vaccine at no out of pocket expense to the parent.
You can visit the website at http://www.co.guilford.nc.us/publichealth/campaigns/?page_id=115 for more information.
- Tunisia Lesene, contributor