The winter season is coming quickly, and with it come plenty of common illnesses. It’s not fun to have a runny nose, fever, or a sore throat and fall behind on school work. Although there is no guarantee, there are plenty of ways to try to prevent getting sick and getting others sick this season. 

The easiest way to stop the spread of disease is by following the simple instructions we have heard over and over again. Make sure to wash your hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and clean commonly used surfaces. Many people also get yearly vaccinations to prevent getting sick. 

The CDC has many recommendations for vaccinations and timelines for returning to regular activities after getting over an illness. For example, the CDC recommends that every person over six months old  gets a flu vaccination annually. Another example is the CDC guidelines for COVID isolation. It recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after symptoms get better overall and there is no fever. If there are any questions about how to handle exposures, isolations, or vaccinations, the CDC guidelines are a good place to check. 

If you do get sick, the best thing you can do is to stay home. With a fever of 100° F, students should not come to school. Coming to school may put others’ health at risk. It is also a good idea to stay home to get plenty of rest. While having an illness, drinking plenty of fluids and eating food are extremely important for helping your body get rid of the bacteria or virus it may be fighting. Many people say that they drink tea, eat honey, or eat cold foods when they start to feel sick. Taking medicine like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and various other brands of decongestants and pain relief medications are also common.

If a student has been out of school sick, they should bring in a note to the front office the morning they return, confirming that they were not feeling well. Your parents can also email the attendance office to excuse your absence at attendance316@wcpss.net. Another good thing to do is to email your teachers to let them know that you are out of school and get any missing work. 

These prevention methods may not always work and there is still a chance of getting sick, however, these things should make it much less likely. Stay safe and healthy this year, Cougars!