Over the past two weeks, multiple viruses have swept through school. Many students have had to go home this week because of specific illnesses.
Some students theorize it is because of the time of the year, while others believe it’s just a bug going around.
“I knew the common cold was coming my way so I stayed home just in case,” sophomore Annie Froberg said, “I feel better than I did yesterday but I’m still quite congested.”
Froberg’s dad is a doctor and knows what to do in a situation like this.
“My dad recommended drinking lots of vitamins and water so I did and that definitely helped,” Froberg said, “He also gave me Walgreens cold and flu medicine and I swear that medicine is a miracle because I already feel a lot better.”
Students often get sick with a cough, common cold or the flu. Some students are seen wearing masks just to stay safe or keep others safe.
Many students hope this sudden illness going around is just seasonal and only for a short period.
The sickness has made many people stay home sick because of the severity.
“I would say maybe 75 percent of the student body has reported to me in the past two weeks that they are sick,” attendance office manager Barbara King said.
King reported about 75 calls from parents calling in their kids for either the priority and general line within the first three hours of the day. Priority is the line parents will call for appointments or excused absences, while general is usually the line parents call for sickness.
“Last week I was just recovering from the flu and last night I woke up from a sore throat,” sophomore Grady Koschnick said, “I cannot get sick again, the first time I was sick with the flu it was awful, I have never ever thrown up that many times.”
Students can prevent getting sick by washing their hands frequently and staying away from those who have been recently infected with any kind of sickness.
It is also crucial to get lots of rest when infected. Sleep and water are proven to be the best medicine.
“As a coach, I know it is crucial to stay hydrated all the time but especially during cold weather,” girls cross country coach Chad Wallace said, “You become more immune to sickness because you are not outside as much where you receive lots of vitamins from the sun, therefore you are more immune to illnesses.”
Wallace is the girls cross country coach and science teacher. He takes his athletes’ and students’ health very seriously.
“Even if my athletes are feeling a little under the weather I tell them to go home and rest up. This week a lot of my runners went home feeling sick, so I warned my runners to stay away from any sickness,” Wallace said.
Students are encouraged to stay home if they are not feeling well.
