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TechnographSeason of sickness settles on campus
By Liz deAvila
Posted: 1/24/05 Section: News
As students return to class, they are likely to bring more than just their eagerness to learn to lecture. The winter months are prime cold and flu season, and a case of the sniffles does not deter most students from attending classes.
"I try to eat healthy and dress warmly, but if I do get sick, it's not really a question of not going to class," said Melissa Kosobud, sophomore in engineering. "I need to go to lecture. I need to find out what the assignments are, so in that case, my health comes second. You don't have a lot of options."
In order to avoid getting sick this winter season, David Bozarth, director of pharmacy at Schnucks Pharmacy in Champaign, stressed that the most important measure a student can take is to rest.
"Most college students don't get proper rest," Bozarth said. "And if your system is run down, you're more susceptible (to illness)."
Bozarth recommends a balanced diet, taking vitamin supplements and maintaining good hygiene - not only as precautions during the cold and flu season, but year-round as well.
He also said that most college students do not dress properly for the cold weather or wear hats.
"You lose a large percentage of body heat through the head," Bozarth said.
Yet it is not the cold weather but passing along germs that spreads colds and coughs.
"Cough and shake someone's hand," Bozarth said. "Doesn't get any worse than that."
Bozarth said a product that helps prevent the spread of such germs is the anti-septic, alcohol-based, instant hand sanitizer gel that can be used at anytime and without water.
Dr. David Lawrance, physician and medical director of McKinley Health Center, had some advice on what to do if a student does get sick.
"We'll be recommending don't go to class if you've been running a fever," Lawrance said, realizing that it was strange to promote missing class at the University.
But staying away from class is an important part of containing illnesses that spread quickly on the campus, such as the flu, he said.
"I try to eat healthy and dress warmly, but if I do get sick, it's not really a question of not going to class," said Melissa Kosobud, sophomore in engineering. "I need to go to lecture. I need to find out what the assignments are, so in that case, my health comes second. You don't have a lot of options."
In order to avoid getting sick this winter season, David Bozarth, director of pharmacy at Schnucks Pharmacy in Champaign, stressed that the most important measure a student can take is to rest.
"Most college students don't get proper rest," Bozarth said. "And if your system is run down, you're more susceptible (to illness)."
Bozarth recommends a balanced diet, taking vitamin supplements and maintaining good hygiene - not only as precautions during the cold and flu season, but year-round as well.
He also said that most college students do not dress properly for the cold weather or wear hats.
"You lose a large percentage of body heat through the head," Bozarth said.
Yet it is not the cold weather but passing along germs that spreads colds and coughs.
"Cough and shake someone's hand," Bozarth said. "Doesn't get any worse than that."
Bozarth said a product that helps prevent the spread of such germs is the anti-septic, alcohol-based, instant hand sanitizer gel that can be used at anytime and without water.
Dr. David Lawrance, physician and medical director of McKinley Health Center, had some advice on what to do if a student does get sick.
"We'll be recommending don't go to class if you've been running a fever," Lawrance said, realizing that it was strange to promote missing class at the University.
But staying away from class is an important part of containing illnesses that spread quickly on the campus, such as the flu, he said.
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