In Fall 2018, we asked students to leave #HealthyDawg hints on a display board at the Science Library. Here’s what you had to say…
As the end of the semester approaches, it becomes harder to make sure you are still taking care of yourself – getting enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and making time to get moving. But it’s just as important as ever to do so!
Flu season is upon us. At the University Health Center we are, as you can imagine, starting to see the signs and symptoms of flu trickle in. Below are some simple steps you can take to keep yourself and the UGA community healthy.
Prevent the Flu
- Get a flu shot. The best way to prevent the flu is to be immune to the viruses. If you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, you should get one!
- Practice good hand hygiene by either hand washing with soap and water or by using alcohol-based gels.
- Do not touch your face, eyes or mouth unless your hands are clean.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. An uncovered cough or sneeze can project respiratory droplets 3 to 6 feet or more!
Mumps is an illness caused by the mumps virus. It spreads through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat. An infected person can spread the virus by:
- Coughing, sneezing, or talking
- Sharing items such as cups or eating utensils with others
- Touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others.
February is Heart Health Awareness Month – the perfect time to start working toward heart health goals! There are many ways to maintain a healthy heart. Below, we have listed just a few.
For more heart health information, visit the University Health Center’s Heart Health Fair on February 7, 2018 – 11am-3pm at UHC. This event is hosted in collaboration with the American Red Cross. You can sign up to give blood here using code “UGA.”
Flu season is upon us. At the University Health Center we are, as you can imagine, seeing many cases of the flu every day. I want to offer some simple steps you can take to keep yourself and the UGA community healthy.
Prevent the Flu
- Get a flu shot. The best way to prevent the flu is to be immune to the viruses. If you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, you should still get one.
- Practice good hand hygiene by either hand washing with soap and water or by using alcohol-based gels.
- Do not touch your face, eyes or mouth unless your hands are clean.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. An uncovered cough or sneeze can project respiratory droplets 3 to 6 feet or more.
Treating the Flu
The flu is a contagious disease that is caused by one of many influenza viruses. It primarily attacks the respiratory tract (nose, throat and lungs). The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms: fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches and insomnia.
- Stay home if you are sick. A good rule of thumb if you have the flu is that you should stay home as long as you have a fever. You can return to school or work if you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever reducing medicines.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
- If you live in a residence hall, consider going to your permanent home until you have recovered.
- Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
- Rest.
For more information about the flu, getting a flu shot and when to seek a health care provider, visit the University Health Center’s Influenza site.
For more flu information from a student perspective, check out What’s Your Flu I.Q.?!
UGA students can schedule University Health Center primary medical care appointments online at www.uhs.uga.edu, using the UHC Patient Portal.
Written by: Dr. Jean Chin, University Health Center Executive Director
The University Health Center does not endorse any products or services that may appear in ads below.
1. You will get juice and cookies.
2. It’s easy and convenient.
It only takes about an hour to give whole blood, and you can make your donation at an American Red Cross blood donation center or one of many blood drives (including one at the UGA Health Center on February 6, 2019 – sign up using code “UGA”) held at businesses, community centers, schools, or places of worship. Continue reading “Top 8 Reasons to Give Blood”
We’ve discussed exercising for heart health, but there’s more to it than that! The American Heart Association also recommends making changes to your diet to support a healthier heart. Below are just a few tips to get you started. If you ever have more questions, UHC has nutritionists on staff who are always here to help!
There are many ways to help keep your heart healthy. This February, during American Heart Month, we’ll be sharing just a few of them. To start: Exercise. While it may not be everyone’s favorite way to stay healthy, it is one that’s accessible for many on campus at the University of Georgia – there’s the Ramsey Center, intramural trails, and (of course) lots of hills. Below is a bit more information on how to incorporate exercise into your schedule.
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