It’s easy to forget the small things that can keep us healthy during the ensuing cold and flu season. Here are the easiest (and most obvious!) ways to combat illness:

1. Wash your hands. If its been said once, its been said a million times. Hundreds of students touch the same door handles and keyboards everyday. Hundreds of students also cough and sneeze into their hands, spreading germs upon whatever they touch. Do yourself and your friends a favor and keep your hands clean. There is no such thing as washing your hands too many times or using too much hand sanitizer.

2. Don’t share water bottles. Sharing drinks is the most common way for viruses to be spread. The cold virus is quickly spread through saliva, so when someone asks for a quick sip, politely point them in the way of the water fountain.

3. Cough into your inner elbow. No one wants to be hacked on while making his or her way to fourth hour. If you need to cough, cough into the inner part of your elbow. This prevents your germs from flying aimlessly on to the innocent students around you.

4. Eat the right food. Foods in Vitamins A, B, C, and E boost your body’s immune system, making you less susceptible to the viruses that run rampant through the halls. Choose fruits and vegetables that are brightly colored, such as oranges, sweet potatoes, and pink grapefruit. These are all high in the disease-fighting vitamins your body needs to stay healthy.

5. If you’re sick, STAY HOME. It’s difficult to miss a day of school when you know there’s an AP Bio test you have to take, spanish conjugations you have to learn and an Honors CA class you can’t miss. However, when you come to school sick, you don’t do anyone good. You infect your friends and teachers and you make yourself worse. Your immune system needs rest and fluids when you’re sick, so be smart and stay in bed.