Flu season is back in action and the influenza virus is completing its yearly rounds on the Wilkes University campus.

Wilkes University offers several different ways to help students learn about and tackle the flu season. Passan Hall, the location of the university’s health and wellness services, offers free health care and related health counseling to all students, faculty, and staff.

In addition, there is a web page titled “Regarding the Flu” on the Wilkes University website to inform people about symptoms, precautions, and treatment for the virus.

According to the Wilkes University website, people between the ages of 6 months to 24-years-old have the highest risk for contracting the flu, meaning that it can affect most of the student population.

Symptoms of the flu can include fever, chills, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, diarrhea  and  vomiting.

To Avoid the Flu:

Get your flu shot

Flu shots are highly encouraged if you want to avoid getting the influenza virus. They are normally administered at any local CVS, Rite Aid, or Walgreens to make it easily accessible for everyone. The Wilkes-Barre Department of Health recently sponsored a free flu clinic at Wilkes University for students and faculty to get their flu shots free of charge. Looking online and watching the news can inform you about other places near you that might also have free flu clinics. Keep an eye out for more flu clinics available in the future if you are interested in getting a shot.

Wash your hands frequently

This tip is common sense. We use our hands for everything. Thus, you should not just wash your hands after blowing your nose and coughing. Wash your hands any chance you get and before you eat, especially, to avoid giving the germs a direct pathway into your body and allowing them to get you sick. Wilkes University has installed hand sanitizer stations in every building as well which can be used on the go when there is not a sink.

Lysol It Up

Lysol is another common, effective way to kill germs. Using lysol frequently, especially if you are living with people who are sick, can help prevent getting the flu. Lysol areas like your furniture, your bedroom, the kitchen, your car and around other areas that are not typically cleaned thoroughly.

Change your sheets 

Changing your sheets after you catch the flu or a cold is important, especially if you share a bed with someone else. Let your sickness play out, and then change them so that way they are fresh for when you are better.

Clean shared spaces

Thoroughly cleaning your shared spaces, even the smaller nooks and crevices, can aid in preventing the spread of germs. Make sure to use products like clorox wipes and cleaners that kill germs rather than just hot water and reusable rag. Clorox wipes are great because they kill germs and are disposable. If you would rather use reusable rags, make sure you wash them properly to avoid the spread of germs.

Rest, Rest, Rest

When you are not well rested, your immune system becomes weakened and it is much easier to catch the flu virus.

Go to the doctor

Whether you see your family doctor or visit health services on Wilkes University’s campus, if you feel any symptoms, seeing the doctor can never hurt. Catching the virus early on often quickens the healing process and makes the treating process that much simpler. Plus, spreading the illness should be avoiding as much as possible.

Health and Wellness Services are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can walk in during those hours to get evaluated or make an appointment by calling 570-408-4730 or emailing [email protected].