MU
students fight against illness
by
Abby Grimmett, posted Oct. 8, 2007
It’s
that time of year when cold and flu season is in its prime
and it seems like everyone is getting sick. MU students have
been suffering from everything from a slight cold to mononucleosis.
Sarah
Schnegelberger, a sophomore elementary education student,
was sent to the hospital after getting sick at the Illinois
State football game. Schnegelberger had been suffering from
the stomach flu, and being out in the heat that Saturday was
a bad combination.
“I
was glad it happened during the weekend so I didn’t
miss any class,” she said. “But ending up in the
hospital with an IV was not a fun experience.”
Many students find it difficult to make it through the school
week when they become sick.
“Being
sick has really put a damper on all of my studying,”
said Brittany Johnson, a sophomore studying biological sciences
who was recently diagnosed with mononucleosis. “It made
it even worse that I hit the peak of being sick during exam
week.”
It was not uncommon to hear sniffling and sneezing during
this semester’s first round of exams. Many students
had no choice but to come to class sick to keep up with the
coursework.
“I
feel awful right now, but sometimes you have to tough it up
and stick it out and come to class,” said Mike Bahr,
a junior accounting student. Most of the illnesses we see
around campus are caused by viruses, which are very contagious.
According to Deidre Wood, public information specialist for
the Columbia/Boone County Health Department, viruses can spread
through the air or by person-to-person contact.
It
is important to give someone his or her space when sick; however,
many students live on campus in dorms or Greek houses, and
it can be difficult to avoid those who are under the weather.
Luckily, there are methods to help maintain good heath in
situations like these. Wood said that one of the key strategies
to stay away from viruses is to wash your hands regularly.
“Good
hand washing can prevent almost everything,” Wood said.
Wood
said proper hand washing consists of using soap and water
for 20 seconds, as well as using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
She also said students need to keep in mind that rest is crucial
in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“In
order to be successful in class or even your job, rest is
essential,” she said. Wood also recommended exercising
and eating healthy to ensure good health in the long run.
Besides
the cold virus, another big threat to our health this time
of year is influenza. The Columbia/Boone County Health Department
specializes in prevention, and the department offers flu shots
and flu mists, a needle-free mist that is sprayed in the nose.
Wood
said many people often avoid getting flu shots at the worry
that they might develop the flu from the shot. However, this
is a myth.
“The
viruses found in the shot are inactive, so the body becomes
immune to the influenza strain,” Wood said.
She
recommended people get the flu shot sometime between October
and November to guarantee best results. Wood stressed that
it is important for most people to get a flu shot, as experts
have been predicting a pandemic influenza breakout in the
next few years. And, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention Web site, about 36,000 people die from
the flu each year.
With
these strategies “students will maintain good health,
and learn to monitor their heath to ensure they can have a
great semester,” Wood said.
