It is flu season here at BPHS and it is showing. Many students and teachers alike seem to be dropping like flies. This can be credited to the flu and other illnesses.

However, there are very simple and effective ways to avoid the flu. First off, students and teachers should get flu shots as this is the single greatest way to avoid the flu according to the CDC. The vaccination should help to completely avoid the flu virus or mitigate its effect or duration.

This is not the only way to avoid the flu. The CDC also recommends to avoid close contact with those who are sick, and if you are sick, to avoid those who are not sick. If your illness is severe enough, you should stay home, as this is the best way to avoid getting others sick and allows you to rest and get back to being your best self.

Now let’s say you are stuck right next to a very ill person in class; you do have some options. Wash your hands, this one is probably the simplest and most effective way to stay well. Just after class and definitely before eating, go to the bathroom and wash your hands. If soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends to use alcohol-based hand rub instead. After being in a room with a fellow sick student, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. This is one of the primary ways that germs are spread after coming in contact with contaminated items; do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth until you can wash your hands.

The final way the CDC recommends to avoid spreading the flu is if you are sick; cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.  This will help reduce the chance of people around you becoming sick. Using these tips, hopefully you can reduce your time under-the-weather and have a good winter at BPHS.