As the weather all around Texas begins to change from a blistering hot pattern to a chilly, sweatshirt type weather, the risks of becoming sick rises exponentially. Germs begin to spread from host to host as students interact with each other, and as finals approach, the glorification of missing class is suddenly replaced with fear of losing exemptions. It is vital for the health of all students to keep a cleanliness to themselves as everyone treks through flu season; and trust that the nurses can take care of any ill students.

“I’ve been a nurse for 38 years, and I’ve been here ever since the school opened,” school nurse Jennifer Coleman said. “My favorite part about being a nurse is helping people and seeing them get better.”

Although flu season is upon us, germs are not the only reason that students are getting sick. There are plenty of other ways for someone to get sick, and they don’t all involve being over-run ny bacteria and germs.

“A lot of people are getting sick now because of stress,” Mrs. Coleman said. “Not getting enough sleep too, so they’re not taking care of themselves, not eating properly because they tend to eat more junk food around this time of year, and other people who come to school and spread their sickness to everyone else.”

Even though sickness may seem inevitable, there are multiple ways to prevent getting sick. Some tips won’t just prevent you from catching a cold, they may also make life changes in a person’s life that will benefit them through their well being.

“Wash your hands,” Mrs. Coleman said. “It’s free! Except for the soap. So wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes because germs are everywhere.”

Even though it’s cold outside and students may feel more comfortable with their environment, getting sick is a huge issue around this time of year. If any symptoms of sickness begin to appear, don’t be afraid to go and see the school’s nurses. Getting sick is definitely preventable, and shouldn’t be difficult if you follow these tips.