Classes aren’t the only thing back for winter session. As the teeth chattering cold comes around the corner, the season brings back everyone’s least favorite students: snot, sniffles, headache, cough, fever and the ever popular fatigue and exhaustion. Oh, no! 

This is the time of year when everyone’s nose is Santa Claus red and everyone sounds like they smoked two packs a day. Well, not to worry; here are some health tips to soothe your sickness and get you back to good health. 

Tip #1 Wash Your Hands 

cost: Soap = usually free or up to $2

Soap and water works best.

This might seem redundant, but it’s perhaps one of the best things you can do to prevent the spread of germs. Don’t be lazy and just run your hands under the faucet, using only water. To prevent the spread of germs you have to scrub with soap, De Anza College Health Educator Mary-Jo Lomax said. 

“Hand washing is super helpful in preventing a cold or flu because the most common way for someone to get infected is by touching something that is infected and then rubbing your eyes, putting your finger in your mouth or picking your nose. Once you have been exposed to the virus, it can take up to five days before you have symptoms (scratchy throat, sneezing, etc).” 

Tip #2 Sore Throat? Use Salt Water 

cost: salt = $1-$4

Salt isn’t just a great flavor booster for McDonald’s fries. Gargling with about a ¼ or ½  teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce cup of water will help settle that scratchy throat. 

Tip #3 Unplug your nose 

cost: sinus rinse = $5-$13

Help alleviate your congestion with the best thing since sliced bread: a sinus rinse. There are many different brands and types out there, but they all work great and are designed to be non-irritating. Sometimes, the head congestion and sniffling are the worst part of the cold or flu. With a sinus rinse you can provide relief for not only you, but for the people around you so you don’t sound like you’ve been watching a sad soap opera all day. 

Tip #4 Have a Drink

cost: $5-$8

We’re not talking about a drink of alcohol. There’s no harm in having a little extra boost of Vitamin C. The product Emergen-C is a great additive to drinks. It could help

proactively prevent a cold, and there’s nothing wrong with

the extra vitamins. 

Of course there are many remedies that can help you with that pesky cold. Chicken noodle soup, which is usually pretty cheap, or free if you can get your mother to make it. 

It’s hard to get rest as a college student with so many responsibilities, but try your best to get in some zzzz’s. It’s important to note, Lomax said, that the cold and flu are separate viruses: a flu is more severe and involves fever and head and body aches. Keep yourself bundled up, with clean hands, and with luck the sick germs won’t claim you as a victim. 

De Anza Health Services has a limited supply of flu vaccines available. They offer flu shots for free for currently enrolled students with a DASB card and for $20 for faculty and staff.