Page 2 —Thursday, October 21,2004
Kill the flu bug; Get your sleep on
MALIA KALUA
Editor-in-Chief
If you’re feeling funky by the
onset of flu season, get ready. Old-
fashioned remedies may be all stu
dents have to keep them out of bed
this flu season.
According to the FDA, maker
of the flu vaccine Chiron Corpora
tion the vaccines normally provides
up to 48 million doses of the flu
vaccine. This will reduce the typical
U.S. supply by almost half because
vaccines are contaminated.
“If you are young and healthy
then don’t have a flu shot!” said
President George Bush.
Those considered as high risk
Senior citizens
stand in line
for fiu vacci
nations. Since
the vaccine is
in short sup
ply this flu sea
son the public
should expect
long lines
wherever the
vaccine is avail
able.
are senior citizens, transplant pa
tients, pregnant women, children
and teenagers. Most available flu
shots are being shipped to nursing
homes, pediatricians and obstetri-
smalTlALY. Staff
Malia Kalua - Editor-in-Chief
Remille Shipman & Jameson Jones - Sports Editors
Hannah Hamer - Photo Editor
Jorge Bravo & Will Montoya - Layout Editors
Joseph Kim & Elizabeth Vargas - Website Editors
Elizabeth Vargas & Jorge Bravo - Graphics Designers
Norma Bradshaw - Copy Editor
Shannon Lane - Ad Manager
Photographers:
Jamie Davis
Melanie Gibson
Kris Sosebee
Staff' Writers:
Joe Aldridge
Dante Alvarado
DeMario Campbell
Toni Carpenter
Sarah Davenport
Askari Elson
Clara Lang
Steven Magnusen
Laura Phillips
Roni Wilkinson
Anthony Trofe
Sorrectior^ox
In the 10/7/2004 issue of smallTALK the Soccer Roundup story on page 13
was written by Toni Carpenter not Remille Shipman.
In the centerfold spread article “Where do the canidadates stand on the
issue?”Toni Carpenter cowrote the article with Laura Phillips.
Front page article “NC State Fair opening for fun times” was written by
Hannah Hamer not Norma Bradshaw.
cians for appropriate administration
to patients according to the FDA.
Most students at Methodist
College are left out of the vaccine
circle and we should take steps to
keep well. Here are some basics for
flu season survival:
1. Wash your hands as much as
possible. Every time you leave your
dorm room or apartment, you are
possibly coming into contact with
the flu virus. When you return home,
always wash your hands before you
do anything else.
2. When you are out, keep your
hands away from your face and out
of your mouth. Carry a bottle of
no-rinse hand sanitizing gel avail
able at your local grocery store or
pharmacy.
3. Cover your mouth when you
sneeze or cough. Then wash your
hands afterwards.
4. Keep your room or apart
ment clean. Living in a messy home
lowers your immune system by
spreading germs and making you
more susceptible to getting sick.
Also cleanliness helps to keep your
roommates well which can help you
to stay well too.
5. Avoid crowds if you are
feeling sick. The flu is dangerous
because it is so contagious. Slowing
the spread of disease enables us all
to feel better. Do not visit with older
people or children if you do not feel
well.
6. Do not share food, cups,
drinks or eating utinsels. If you are
Photo courtesy of fda.gov
sick no need to share.
8. Do not touch water spouts
when drinking out of the fountains.
Avoid touching bathroom fixtures
and doors after you wash your hands.
Use a paper towel to assist you.
9. Get plenty of regular exer
cise. Excersise increases blood flow
and boosts your immune system. We
can all excersise on a more frequent
basis for great health results espe
cially during flu season.
10. Drink plenty of fluids and
sleep regularly. If your body is not
strong enough to fight off the flu, it
may be because you are run-down
and dehydrated. Going to bed on
time, getting plenty of sleep and
staying on schedule will keep you
stronger and healthier.
Keep well and address any flu
symptoms immediately. Symptoms
of the flu are headache, fever, chills,
dry cough, tiredness, sore throat,
nasal congestion and body aches.
Influenza is different from a cold in
that its onset is faster. Most people
who contract the flu recover within
two weeks. But some cases of flu
can develop into life-threatening
problems like pneumonia. About
36,000 Americans every year die
from the flu.
If you would like more infor
mation, see your family doctor or
Sandy Combs in Student Health Ser
vices in the basement of West Hall
Stay informed and get your sleep on
this flu season!