News
Preventing Illnesses During Season Changes
By: Allison Gens, Makenzie Piatt
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With the first official week of fall, the weather is changing and people are getting sick.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, an estimated 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu in the United States.
Athens City School nurse, Heidi Mowrey, said there are numerous ways to lower the risk of getting sick. She advised people to wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. People should also avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands. Other things to avoid are coughing into hands and sharing cups or utensils.
Mowrey said it is important that children, as well as adults, are health educated to protect themselves from the flu and different viruses.
As of right now, Mowrey has not seen any flu cases throughout the Athens School District, but has seen mainly respiratory illnesses and sinus infections.
Along with the recommended precautions, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccination each year.