As a family member, you may be concerned about your student’s well-being and what they can do to remain healthy despite coming in contact with a large population of people (and germs) daily. We have provided some common practices that can help keep your student healthy this flu season. Make sure to discuss these options with your student to keep them in class and out of the doctor's office. 

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. The first step to combating cold and flu germs comes with how your student treats their body. If your student continuously doesn’t get enough sleep, doesn't eat or only eats food that is poor for them, doesn’t drink enough water, and are underactive, then their immune system can be at risk of becoming weak. Encourage your student to consume substantial, nutritious food, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and stay active day-to-day. Students can receive assistance on staying healthy through on-campus resources such as the Leach Center and Fitness and Movement Clinic, as well as the Food For Thought Pantry located in the Department of Student Support & Transitions.

Wash your hands. This is one of the easiest ways in which your student can avoid contracting germs from everyday surfaces. If your student finds themselves constantly opening doors or touching desks on campus, remind them of the importance of washing their hands or at least applying hand sanitizer before they touch any part of their face or foods they're eating. Washing hands with soap and warm water or using hand sanitizer frequently will ensure students aren’t transferring germs that they’ve come in contact with.

Clean your space. If your student has had a roommate or close friend get sick, it would benefit them to give their room a spring cleaning. It doesn’t have to be anything too thorough or a huge day-long deep cleaning, but it can be something as simple as wiping off the surfaces of their room with a surface cleaner. In addition, students should actively clean their laptops and phones with a disinfectant wipe or something similar. They touch these things almost everyday, so it can be a prime place for germs to hangout.

If you think you are sick, take precautions. If your student feels as though they are coming down with something, encourage them to take extra care of themselves. Enoucrage them to stay home from class and other activities if they are experiencing the symptoms of a cold or flu virus in efforts to avoid spreading their sickness to other people. If your student does find themselves in public areas despite not feeling well, remind them to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze and cough so they don’t spread their germs. If they need to see a doctor, FSU’s Health and Wellness Center is a good resource for students.

For more information about University Health Services, you can visit their website.