10 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
HEALTH
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2002
Early detection best defense against flu, colds
I have this incredible knack for getting sick at the worst possible time.
HEALTH
I got food poisoning at camp in high school, I had migraines on Christmas and, on my last birthday, I went to the emergency room for the first time because of appendicitis.
Leslie Kimmel
lkimmel@kansan.com
Talk about timing.
So that's why I'm already preparing for when I catch the flu during my hardest final this semester.
It seems like, no matter how many times you wash your hands or how well you eat, it's still possible for some of those little bugs to survive and strike.
Myra Strother, chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said Watkins saw an increase in sicknesses such as influenza and bronchitis during the winter months.
"Flu season will be starting in November," she said. "There is usually a second peak in December or January."
Colds and other viral infections also tend to break out during the winter, when people spend most of their time in contained spaces.
Oftentimes, Strother said, viral infections can worsen and lead to bacterial infections such as strep throat, sinus infections and bronchitis if they go untreated.
So it's important to recognize that you are sick, even if it is just a cold, and seek treatment as soon as possible.
Strother said it was best to see a doctor anytime you could tell your health problem had gone beyond a cold.
I know a general fear of hospitals deters many, but trust me, getting better a few days early is well worth a few hours inside those hospital walls. Even if it is on your birthday.
Watkins Health Center laid out a few guidelines to help differentiate between the flu and a cold. The flu is often characterized by a high fever, headaches, body aches, severe coughs and fatigue that make you want to stay in bed.
A runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and sometimes a low fever accompany colds.
Calling a triage nurse at Watkins can also help you determine if you have caught the flu.
But even if it is just the common cold that's getting you down, it's better to treat it at home before it leads to more serious bacterial infections.
But, Strother said there were some common myths about how to cure a sickness at home that should be disregarded.
Myth — Feed a cold, starve a fever.
Fact — With any sickness, it is best to stay hydrated and eat well. It's important to drink lots of clear liquids and eat foods, such as chicken soup, that help clear mucus, Strother said,
Also, if you have a sore throat, gargle 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water every few hours, but make sure the salt is dissolved. Tea with lemon and honey eases a sore throat as well.
Myth — Antihistamines work best
DO YOU LIKE YOUR BODY?
Jayplay is working with HOMEBASE to answer your questions about body acceptance, healthy eating and physical fitness. HOMEBASE is a task force formed in Fall 2001 that includes representatives from student health resources on campus. Students in health-related fields will answer your questions every week. Submit your questions to achap@ukans.edu Identities will remain anonymous.
when feeling congested.
Fact Antihistamines are not what the doctor ordered when it comes to a cold.
"They might not realize that Benadryl is an antihistamine and not a decongestant. Sudafed is a decongestant that works best on sick students," Strother said.
Watkins officials recommend you use a decongestant, an over-the-counter saline nasal spray or a cool-mist vaporizer in your room when feeling congested.
But remember, to recover from any sickness it's important to rest and take care of your long-term health.