[Students] Tips To Prevent The Flu

Joan Lawrence Joan_Lawrence at tamu-commerce.edu
Tue Feb 3 14:02:15 CST 2009


 

Tips to reduce your risk of getting the flu:

 

With the flu on the rise in Dallas and surrounding areas, be sure you
are taking necessary precautions to reduce your risk of infection.

 

Tip 1: Wash your hands frequently to kill germs and bacteria.  If you
aren't near soap and water you can use hand sanitizers until you can
wash your hands with soap and water.  

 

Tip 2:  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.  If you have the virus
on your hands it can be easily spread.  

 

Tip 3:  Work out.  Exercise has been shown to boost immune function.  Be
sure to wipe down gym equipment (especially handles and buttons) BEFORE
and after use with antiviral spray/wipes.  A lot of gyms provide these
for participants to use while they workout.  

 

Tip 4:  Eat and sleep enough.  Be sure you are getting all of your
recommended vitamins and minerals from your diet.  Also, be sure to get
adequate sleep to keep your body functioning at its best.

 

Tip 5: Don't stress.  Stress can negatively affect your immune system. 

 

 

Tips if you think you have the flu:

 

Tip 1:  Keep your germs to yourself!  Stay home if you think you are
coming down with the flu.  You are most contagious during the first few
days of flu and may infect many others if you go out in public.  Also,
cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow rather than on your hands
to help prevent spreading the germs.

 

Tip 2:  Purchase some over the counter remedies.  If you're in good
health to begin with, don't worry about hoarding Tamiflu
<http://www.nbcdfw.com/topics?topic=Tamiflu>  or other antiviral drugs
to protect against the seasonal flu. These drugs have to be taken within
the first 48 hours of getting the flu to be effective. Even if you get a
prescription in time, they will only shorten the symptoms by roughly a
day.  Tylenol or Advil can help get you through the worst of the flu,
which typically clears up on its own in a week. 

 

Tip 3:  See your physician if you have a fever above 100 degrees or are
dehydrated from gastrointestinal symptoms.  

 

Tip 4:  Rest and hydrate your body.  Water, Gatorade and Pedialyte are
all preferable for hydration.     

 

(Information from Healthology:
http://www.nbcdfw.com/health/topics/Top_Five_Ways_to_Beat_the_Plain_Old_
Flu.html
<http://www.nbcdfw.com/health/topics/Top_Five_Ways_to_Beat_the_Plain_Old
_Flu.html> )

 

 

It's A Great Day To Be A Lion! 

 

Shelly Matikiewicz

Director-Student Health Services

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Henderson Hall

Po Box 3011

Commerce, TX 75428

(office) 903.886.5851

(fax) 903.886.5854

 

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