The most common symptoms of the flu are fatigue, aches, chills, and sore throat. It’s easy to ignore flu symptoms when paying attention to them could mean getting behind on homework. However, this year’s flu season may require you to step up your health game. According to the LA Times, 42 people in California under the age of 65 have died of the flu this season, compared to nine people at the same time last year.

The direct cause of death is H3N2, one of the deadlier strains of Influenza A. Even with a flu shot, H3N2 is still difficult to prevent. During flu seasons when H3N2 is circulating, the flu shot is only 33% effective. It is still recommended by the CDC that you get your flu shot, since 33% protection is better than no protection at all.

Stress, an integral part of any student’s life, can weaken your immune system so it is important to take time to relax. Surrounded by piles of homework, it can be easy to stay up late, but an extra few hours of sleep can boost your immune system. Your amount of infection fighting antibodies decreases when you are sleep deprived, according to Mayo Clinic and although getting 9 hours of sleep may seem impossible, it can be worth it in the long term.

Sometimes it may seem like Webb is closed off from the issues of the outside world, but lately there’s been an increased number of students at the health center. Keeping a safe distance from sick people and eating plenty of protein, leafy greens, and Vitamin C are all beneficial to your health, but the most important thing to remember is to wash your hands!