As temperatures drop and students spend more time indoors, flu season makes its annual return. Crowded hallways, shared desks and packed classrooms can allow germs to spread quickly, leading to an increase in student absences. At Florida High, flu season has hit particularly hard, disrupting attendance and daily routines for many students.
While illness during flu season can seem unavoidable, health experts say there are simple steps students and staff can take to reduce the spread of germs and lower the risk of getting sick.
One of the most effective ways to prevent illness is maintaining proper hand hygiene. Washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizer can help limit the transmission of germs throughout the school day.
“[You can disinfect by] washing your hands and sanitizing regularly,” junior Luis Rodriguez said.
Keeping shared spaces clean is also important. Frequently touched surfaces such as desks, phones, keyboards and computer screens can harbor germs, especially in classrooms where multiple students use the same materials. When small preventative actions are practiced consistently, they can make a noticeable difference.
These habits are especially important when students are already feeling sick. Properly covering coughs and sneezes helps prevent germs from spreading through the air or onto nearby surfaces.
“Make sure [you do not] cough on people around you,” freshman Mesia Hutt said.
Health guidelines recommend covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of the elbow rather than hands, which often come into contact with desks, door handles and shared supplies.
Although flu season returns each year, disease does not have to feel unavoidable. By practicing good hygiene and being mindful of others, students and teachers can help create a healthier environment and reduce the spread of illness throughout the school.
