Winter is coming; do you know what that means? Flu season has arrived, and it is coming in hot. It is important for Colt Country to stop the spread and stay safe.

What is the flu?

The flu, with the scientific name Influenza, is a highly contagious viral infection. This infection kills millions in the United States each ye

Flu season occurs every year. From November, until March, the flu is at its climax; hunting down anyone who’s immune system is vulnerable. This includes the elderly, pregnant individuals, people with diseases like diabetes, or post-op patients.

The flu has four different types.

Types A & B

Influenza A is every flu season’s star. This is the only type of flu that causes flu pandemics.

However, both types have similar symptoms. These symptoms often include fevers, chills, sore throats, runny or stuffy noses, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and cough. Though not common, vomiting and diarrhea are also symptoms of types A and B.

Typically, both type A flu and type B flu start dimming away after four days. However, some symptoms can last as long as nine days.

Type C

Influenza C is much less common than its siblings, types A and B. Unlike types A and B, type C only causes mild illnesses that are unlikely to cause epidemics.

Type C infects both humans and pigs. Symptoms associated with flu c are fevers, nasal discharge, dry cough, headaches, and body aches. Flu c is often a doorway to more severe conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis, which are life threatening if not treated.

Type D

Type D is an illness humans don’t have to worry about. This type of flu only targets animals; not humans. Interestingly, flu D is primarily contracted by cattle, then spilled over to other animals.

Remedies

When fighting off a virus, such as the flu, the best remedies are taking medication and resting. Lots of resting.

Medicine such as Tylenol Cold+Flu, Vicks DayQuil and Nyquill, Theraflu, and Alka-Seltzer Cold & Flu are great remedies when fighting off the flu. However, it is important to take the medicine as instructed on the packaging for it to be able to cure.

Ninth grader Aariyah Harris contracted the flu last month; when asked about what symptoms she experienced she said, “I had a sore throat, a bad cough, a fever, really bad headaches, stuffed nose, swollen eyes, and cold sweats.” Aariyah went on to say that she contracted type B and that it lasted for about a week before she started getting better. She says, “I alternated between ibuprofen and Tylenol. I also had a lot of cough drops. Hot soup also helped.”

Preventing the spread

People with strong, healthy immune systems rarely contract the flu; their immune systems are able to fight it off. However, the flu is often contracted through breathing. More specifically when someone sneezes close to you. It only takes one person with the flu to get many others sick.

There are places where contamination occurs the most. Hospitals and schools are great examples. Typically, any place that sees many people or is often crowded, are epicenters of contamination, schools especially.

Since last month, many students at CSHS have been getting sick; majority with the flu. Even teachers, such as Ms. Tate, have gotten ill at school.

Preventing the flu is simple. Here are some ways you can do it:

• Wash and sanitize your hands frequently.
• Don’t share things you’ve put your mouths on.
• Get your flu shots each flu season.

The results of contracting the flu can sometimes be life-threatening. No one wants someone dear to them to fall sick and pass away. That is why it is important to prevent the spread.

Remember, the flu is highly contagious. If you know you have the flu, it is best to

stay home. Let’s help stop the spread.