It’s that time of year once again; you wake up one morning and your head is pounding, your throat feels scratchy, and the last thing you want to do is get up for school or work. With winter settling in, not only is the sickness toll rising rapid- ly among the students and faculty at SFCC, it’s becoming common outside of campus as well. Twenty- four deaths have been concluded in Washington state with 7 of those being within Spokane County.

According to the Spokane Re- gional Health District, “the flu is currently circulating in all areas of the state…”

With the flu spreading so quickly in the area, 163 hospitalizations have occurred since January 6 (Spokane Regional Health District), it’s becoming of much larger im- portance to do everything we can to prevent becoming sick with the flu.

Washing your hands, coughing into your sleeve and away from others, and most importantly stay- ing home when you’re sick, this especially applies to those who are employed at a food based com- pany, are steps you can take to aid in preventing coming down with or spreading the influenza.

Perhaps the most important and effective way to fight off the flu is by getting the flu shot.

“Early prevention is the best med- icine to avoid sickness in the first place,” says Bobby Lee, Dean of Physical Education. “[Flu shots are available at] minor emergency care facilities, the SCC health center, [and] any hospital or medical facil- ity I would assume.”

A health clinic is available to all SFCC students at the SCC campus that will provide services such as the flu shot for only $12, prescriptions, and physical exams. Students can find the health clinic at the Jenkins Wellness Center, building 7 room 118 or can contact the clinic with the number given on the SFCC web- site.

In order to prevent the flu, Bobby Lee says, “drink plenty of fluids, exercise and sleep 8-10 hours per night.” And, of course, getting vacci- nated. On the other hand, if you’ve already come down with the flu, “over the counter medication, doc- tor’s prescriptions, hydration and plenty of sleep” will help to handle the sickness.

Flu shots are also available at other local businesses such as Wal- greens, Safeway, Rite Aid, and Ro- sauers.