Sickness is spreading around our community rapidly. Different viruses cause people to miss out on their daily lives, and absences are being seen a lot more around this cold season.

¨A lot of my friends are getting sick and a lot of people are absent,¨ said junior Hannah Wakamna.

Other viruses are showing up that are not Influenza or Covid-19. Other illnesses going around are strep throat, RSV, and different strains of colds. 

A local pediatrician Dr. Nikki Javia says, ¨Sick symptoms this year are lasting longer. Coughs are lasting longer. Runny noses are lasting longer.¨

Sick season usually starts in November and dies down in May. Getting sick multiple times in this time span is very common. 

¨I was just sick, and it feels like the sickness this year lasted longer. It hit harder this year because I felt perfectly fine and then it came all of a sudden,¨ said sophomore Dylan Haynes.

Symptoms this year include fever, cough, chills/sweats, congestion, body aches, and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms please stay home until you feel better. It is suggested to go to a doctor if you can, especially if your sickness does not go away after a week.

Stay away from big crowded areas, avoid touching your eyes, and wash your hands. It is predicted for next year to be even worse and longer. This means you should work on strengthening your immune system.

To make your immune system stronger make sure you eat a variety of good food, stay active, and have a good sleep schedule. This can prevent you from getting sick. If you do get sick, it won’t be as bad when your body fights it off.