EDITORIAL: Going to class sick is disruptive and ill-advised

Welcome to cold and flu season. This is the time of year when health becomes an issue for universities. Students and professors have daily contact with hundreds of other people, and if one person is sick, it is possible for dozens to catch whatever germ the sick person has.

Widespread illness makes people miserable, can threaten their lives and makes going to class and doing homework even harder.

Everyone can take steps to help stay healthy and prevent the spread of illness, should they get sick.

Make sure you practice good hygiene. You don’t know who was sitting at your desk before you were, so wash your hands after you touch surfaces that might be contaminated with germs.

If you’re feeling sick, don’t go to class. Coming to class sick doesn’t do any favors for the people around you, and you probably won’t learn much if you’re hacking and coughing the entire hour.

Don’t take this as an excuse to skip class and tell the professor you’re sick. If you think you’re sick, go to student health. Office visits are free for all students, and most professors will allow you to make up work you miss due to illness if you don’t give them reason to believe you’re faking it. Email your professors in advance, tell them you’re sick and tell them you’re going to student health to make sure you don’t have the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone over the age of six months get a flu vaccination. Students can receive a flu vaccination from Student Health.

With the dense population of students in the dormitories and close proximity to students in classrooms, a flu outbreak on campus would significantly damage the learning environment.

There’s no reason for widespread illness to hit the university. Vaccinations and good hygiene can prevent the majority of illnesses. Some people are going to get sick no matter what precautions are taken, but it is those people’s responsibility to make sure the rest of campus doesn’t share in their suffering.