Searcy, Ark., (LP) — Flu season has started and brought a little too much sickness with it. Many people in the town of Searcy were struck hard by the flu this year. Students at Searcy High School were also struck by the pandemic, forcing many students as well as teachers to miss weeks of school. This year the flu took the lives of more than 160 residents of Arkansas. Influenza, better known as the flu, is a common viral infection which can get deadly if not treated properly.
A person who has the flu may not even know they have it until they get tested by the doctor. Many people mistaken the flu for a common cold or just a regular fever, which in most cases is the leading cause of the recent deaths.
Many students in Searcy High School have been diagnosed with the flu, including Bonnie Gavin who, “Had no idea it was the flu.” She was at work when she started feeling, “Dizzy and had a runny nose.” She thought it was nothing to worry about until, “Within an hour all the symptoms started coming in.” After going to the doctor, Bonnie was diagnosed with Influenza A. There are two types of the flu, A and B. The difference between them is Influenza A is categorized by sub types and strains while Influenza B is categorized by just strains. The more common kind is Influenza B, but there isn’t that big of a difference unless someone doesn’t treat themselves properly.
The nurse at Searcy High School, Becky Vanwinkle is trying her best and doing a great job trying to comfort and help the students as much as she can. There’s only so much the nurse can do when it comes to the flu, but she gives students advice and information they need to know about the flu. She stated, “Avoiding contact with sick people, staying healthy, washing your hands, cleaning door knobs, computers, avoiding crowds, etc is the best way to stay sanitary in situations like this.”
Mrs. Vanwinkle along with every teacher in the school now keep Lysol and sprays to clean the classrooms and “the custodians do a great job keeping the bathrooms and classes clean.”
The best advice to protect from getting the flu is receiving the flu shot. Even though it may not rid someone from having it the flu completely, it helps prevents someone from getting it. With the death rate increasing, the risk of getting the flu is likely, especially in an area where there are many people, like the school. Students should take any advice given to them and try to keep everything surrounding them clean and sanitary. The flu is no joke and should be taken seriously. If students have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk to the nurse at school, their teachers or doctors and parents.
