Watch out for the dastardly rhino and flu viruses

Well, it looks to be that time of year again, and I do not mean Christmas. I mean that now is the time of year for rampaging rhino viruses to the common cold trample over us poor students, faculty, and staff of Seton Hill University (SHU).

By: Maddie Gillespie

Editor-in-Chief

Well, it looks to be that time of year again, and I do not mean Christmas. I mean that now is the time of year for rampaging rhino viruses to the common cold trample over us poor students, faculty, and staff of Seton Hill University (SHU).

People are constantly saying: “I don’t have time to be sick,” even as they blow their noses and pop throat lozenges like candy. However, somewhere along this semester, a microscopic rhino may knock you down. Worse yet, the rhino’s uglier friend “Flu” could. But do not worry; it is not the end of the world.

Catching a cold or the flu is a common occurrence, although you should try not to let being sick overwhelm you. Taking a day off of classes is much more difficult than staying home sick in high school or middle school. If you miss a class today, you might not have that class again for two days, a whole week, or maybe even a month. So, as tempting as it might be to stay curled up in bed all day, drag yourself to class and do your best to learn.

I know what you’re thinking by this point: “What if I’m too sick to go to class?” and “You make it sound too easy.” Again, not to worry. If you truly cannot make it to class, notify your professor(s) as soon as possible. Give your professor a head’s up about missing class, rather than simply not going. Be sure to also ask about making up any in-class assignments that your professor may have had planned or ask a classmate to take thorough notes that you can copy down later.

“Okay,” you think. “What can I do to prevent myself from getting sick?” There are always methods such as hand sanitizer, as well as the tried and true method of washing your hands for as long as you can mentally sing your ABC’s, but take it up a notch when you feel your first major sniffle coming on.

Vitamins are a great way to stay healthy as well. Taking a multi-vitamin everyday may keep the “proverbial” doctor away, in addition to boosting your immune system to fight off invading rhino and flu viruses. The same goes for both orange juice and grape juice with their super- powered amounts of vitamin C. An increased amount of fruits and vegetables will also provide your immune system with better fuel to fight off any viruses.

Nevertheless, keeping up with your vitamins, juices, fruits and vegetables might not cut it.

Packets of Emergen-C that contain vitamin C to specifically throw your immune system into overdrive are a good way to fight back a cold or flu. If you feel like getting back to healthy faster, mix up a packet of Emergen-C in a glass of orange juice for twice the amount of vitamin C. Not only can this vitamin supplement make you feel better when you are under the weather, but you can also drink it when you are not sick to lower your chances of encountering a coughing fit or of having a continuously runny nose.

However, the absolute best way to fight off a virus may be to simply go to bed early and check out from the world for at least a full eight hours. Every one of us is busy with numerous responsibilities, but our bodies need even more rest when they are spending additional energy wrestling with rhino and flu viruses. So even though you may think “I need to finish this report or that piece of homework,” try to work your schedule so that you accumulate as many sleeping hours as possible.