Students worry about health as weather changes

"The way the weather flip-flops from hot to cold, there's noguarantee of being healthy," said U of M sophomore Tamara Irons,19, who said she's been sick since Monday.

Irons did not go to the on campus health center but did visither physician.

"I had a headache, a sore throat, a cough and an ear-ache,"Irons said about her symptoms.

Jacqueline DeFouw, U of M health educator, said the weather is abig health factor, and it is important for students to keep theirimmune systems strong.

"The weather is changing, and students are cramming for all oftheir end-of-the-year papers and finals," DeFouw said. "Thisdecreases the immune system."

Germs are especially easily spread through college settings,DeFouw added.

"Anytime people live in a close environment with others, theystir around more germs," she said.

The most common illnesses students are reporting now are coldsand sinus infections, which are preventable with the properguidelines, DeFouw said.

"The most important way to stay healthy is to wash your hands,"she said. "Run your hands under water for about 10 seconds. Thefriction between your hands is important."

Exercise and diet -- like eating from all four food groups --are also important factors in maintaining your immune system, whilebehaviors, like smoking, drinking and using drugs should beavoided, DeFouw said.

"Smoking decreases the immune system and destroys the cilia,which are tiny hairline projections that constantly sweep upward inthe lungs to remove debris, like dust and smoke," she said.

One of the biggest threats to students this -- and every -- coldseason is the influenza virus, also known as the flu, a contagioussickness that attacks the respiratory tract, according to theCenters for Disease Control.

This year, the flu virus is predicted to be one of the worstversions yet -- Type A -- of the virus, which comes in severaltypes and subsets, making the flu shot possibly more important thisyear than previous years, DeFouw said.

"You cannot get the flu from the flu shot," DeFouw said. "Somany people think you can, but you can't."

The flu shot contains a "dead" version of the flu. Fluvaccinations also help physicians with medical diagnosis, takingthe flu out of the situation, and helping physicians findmeningitis and the possibility of SARS (severe acute respiratorysyndrome) quicker.

"The flu can be fatal, although it is not typically fatal inthis (college) age group, but if a student has any symptoms, even aheadache or high fever, they should come be checked out ASAP,"DeFouw said.

Irons said her cold has given her motivation to get a flushot.

"I think I just might have to get one," she said.

The U of M will offer $15 flu shots Dec. 2. For moreinformation, call the Student Health Center at 678-2287.