Keeping Students Healthy

By: Health & Counseling Services

Each year we anticipate and prepare for the flu season, in hopes that we can minimize illness on our campus. While we haven’t seen too many cases of flu-like illness on campus during this academic year, we do anticipate that this will change as the flu season approaches. As parents and family members, you can help your student stay healthy by encouraging them to follow this advice:

Get a flu shot 

The CDC recommends this as the first and most important step your Zag can take in preventing the flu. We have flu shot clinics happening throughout the month of October. Shots are available at Health & Counseling Services. The cost for students is $5. The next upcoming shot clinic is always displayed in our header photos on our website, on our Twitter, and it’s sent out via Morning Mail to all of our students.

Use basic preventative techniques to prevent the spread of germs

Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after use. Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, as germs spread this way. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs, like the flu.

If your student does get sick

If your student is sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that they stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities.

Health & Counseling Services is available to care for our Zags Monday through Friday, 8a – 5p; Thursdays 10a-5p. While sick, students should limit contact with others, as much as possible, to keep from infecting them. Students should always communicate with their professors if they need to miss class due to illness.

 If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 509-313-4052 or studenthealth@gonzaga.edu.