Show Dealing with cold and flu season Connie Dillin Health Center IT T is definitely cold cold and flu season again The Health Center is seeing a moderate number of students with sinus congestion ear car pain sore throats and coughing There are arc a lot of things we can do ourselves to help al alleviate alleviate alleviate al- al the symptoms associated associated associated as as- with these seasonal sym symptoms First drink lots of fluids to help saturate the tissues so that they can work better Drinking carbonated beverages defeats the pur pur- pose They are a mild diuretic reducing your tissue saturation A pot of water on the stove or a vaporizer can help keep tissues tissues' moist also If you smoke cut back or dis dis- dis- dis continue For a sore throat warm saltwater gargles throat lozenges and anesthetic sprays may be helpful Analgesics Analgesics Analgesics Anal Anal- such as aspirin Tylenol or Advil will be helpful for aches and pains or fever feyer Nasal and sinus inus congestion can be relieved with a decongestant Ear discomfort fro from m c changes h a n g e sin in rh the e barometric pressure will also be relieved by a tant ant is a good product that almost everyone can take without becoming drowsy If you have allergies take a combination tamine-decongestant tamine and if it makes you sleepy only take it at night For chest congestion and anda a tight cough an expectorant will help secretions Robitussin-DM Robitussin Expectorant Expectorant Expectorant Ex Ex- Ex- Ex and D 0 contain which works well An such as Syrup with will suppress suppress suppress sup sup- press coughs at night so youcan you youcan youcan can sleep Be aware that many of the liquid night time cold formulas formulas formulas for for- mulas contain a moderate amount of alcohol With any over the counter medication be sure to be a label reader and check with your physician or if you take other medications medications medications medica medica- or if you are arc pregnant If symptoms are arc severe or last much more than a week or so stop by one of the health centers and let me me check you over Most colds arc are viral and do not need antibiotics antibiotics antibiotics an an- but if you have haye bronchitis tonsillitis or an ancar ancar ancar car infection I 1 will write a prescription for antibiotics as indicated Services are free to students and staff Hours Houts at atthe atthe atthe the College are arc to and 1030 to on Mon and Thurs The new South City Campus Health Center is in room WI 5 and open on Monday and Thursday from to to 1000 S |