How to catch a cold

Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after coughing or sneezing – if they're your germs, it doesn't matter, does it?

Swallow the phlegm in your throat and sniffle a lot – keep the germs in and give them a nice home. Skip washing your hands and keep those germs alive – sharing is good, right?

Say "no" to vitamins – especially Vitamin C.

Talk with, shake hands with, and surround yourself with people who are sick – it's good to stick together.

Eat a whole bunch of junk food – don't fatty and fried foods "clean your system?"

Stay in bed and sleep all day – it's just like a normal Saturday.

Dehydrate yourself – who likes getting up to go to the bathroom when their sick anyway?

Actually, Sue Danielson, Viterbo's on-campus nurse, would not suggest doing any of these things. In fact, doing the opposite of "all that fun stuff" could help prevent catching a cold, said Danielson in an interview with Lumen.

The Student Development Center, in which Danielson's office is located, has been "very, very busy" with students that have colds, Danielson added. With students living together and attending classes together, it's easy to contract cold viruses.

"It's that time of year," Danielson said, but she's "teaching people to push fluids, boost vitamins, and stay healthy" with the hopes  that people will remember the "basics" in prevention of illness.

These "basics" include "washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when you're sick, and getting extra rest," explained Danielson.

In addition to educating students about healthy living practices in order to prevent catching a cold, Danielson is also encouraging students to get a flu shot. Along with prevention practices, getting a flu shot can help prevent getting sick as the winter season approaches. 

Get Your Flu Shot:

Thursday, Oct. 14, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Student Union

Friday, Oct. 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Student Development Center

Cost is $15