The flu is a common but dangerous and sometimes deadly illness. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control Prevention), there are over 3 million cases reported in the U.S. per year with almost 960,000 hospitalizations.

In recent years, the flu outbreak has been skyrocketing and is the worst widespread illness since the 2009-2010 Swine Flu. School closings and shutdowns have been issued as a result of the widespread illness in almost every state.

Students and their families have been taking precautions at home to keep family members healthy.

“We make sure to wash our hands and use hand sanitizer to prevent getting the flu. We also don’t share any food or drinks,” freshman August Hudson said. “My brother has been sick for the past week and we’ve been really trying to keep him as healthy as possible. We make sure he takes his medicine prescribed by his doctor and keep him hydrated.”

Hudson suggests keeping clean and avoiding those infected can protect you from catching the flu.

“My best advice is repeatedly washing your hands and making sure to stay away from people already sick or at least stepping away when they cough or sneeze.”  

Due to the widespread flu, the health of students at LSW has even been affected as well. Freshman Ghada Al-Jabiri said the outbreaks have hit her and her family recently.

“I’ve been sick for a couple weeks now and both of my parents have already gotten the flu,” Al-Jabiri said. “It’s awful. I have this horrible cough and it’s hard to focus on school.”

Al-Jabiri’s parents have kept her siblings away from her and make sure she has plenty of tissues and hand sanitizer.

The school health office has seen a slight rise in health office visits and are encouraging students to stay healthy. School Nurse Mrs. Kay Holt said that although the outbreak hasn’t been the worst she’s seen, though the school has been hit by the outbreak.

“There’s definitely been an increase in symptoms and health office visits,” Holt said. “There are reminders around the bathroom to wash your hands. I would say the biggest boundary in the community is hardworking students who come to school for tests and classes when they begin to see the symptoms of illness.”

Holt suggests practicing healthy habits is the best way to prevent sickness.

“Getting plenty of rest and eating a healthy diet is key,” said Holt. “Washing hands is also my number one way to stay healthy.”

To prevent getting sick make sure to cover your mouth and use hand sanitizer and get the flu vaccine.