Campus Public Health Officer: Stay Healthy for the Holidays

Final exams will soon be over, but there is always time for a little health education. There are a lot of different respiratory illnesses going around right now, but there is a lot we know about how to stay healthy. As we prepare to celebrate the holidays, let me leave you with some gifts of knowledge to help you stay healthy into the New Year and beyond.

COVID, Flu, pertussis, pneumonia, and more: What’s the difference, anyway?

Viral illnesses: COVID, flu, measles and RSV are all caused by viruses. This means that prevention is the best defense to stopping the spread and staying healthy. There are antiviral medications that can help with your symptoms if you get sick, but they won’t cure the disease itself.

Bacterial infections: Pertussis (whooping cough) and most types of pneumonia are caused by bacteria, which means that both prevention and treatment with antibiotics are important to stopping the disease and preventing outbreaks. For pertussis, people who have been exposed can also receive antibiotics to prevent the disease and stop the spread.

What you can do:

• Get vaccinated: Talk to your health care provider about what vaccines you need. Staying up to date on COVID, flu, pertussis and MMR vaccines are especially important right now as Minnesota has higher than normal rates of all those diseases.
  • On the Twin Cities campus, visit Boynton Health’s immunization page.
• Seek treatment if you’re sick, especially if you have a severe cough that lasts more than a week, as it could be pertussis. Take all medications as prescribed and follow any instructions for letting your friends and family know if they have been exposed.
• Practice good respiratory hygiene and care: Wash your hands, cover your cough, get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.
• Stay home as much as you can, other than seeking medical care.
• Be informed: Stay up to date with rates of flu, COVID and pertussis and consider additional precautions when illness activity is high: Masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded spaces.