Since Nixa High School students returned from Christmas break, cases of strep, cold, flu, norovirus, COVID-19 and influenza A and B have spiked. During the winter season, students are confined to close quarters, allowing airborne diseases to flourish. In addition, the cold weather can cause runny noses, and since some people wipe their noses and then touch surfaces, the illness continues to spread.

   “The symptoms seem to come on, gradually,” NHS nurse Melinda Lansdown said. “We’ve noticed [students] coming in with maybe a sore throat or a low-grade fever, and then within 24 hours, the symptoms are coming on stronger. Higher fevers, body aches, feeling like you’ve been dragged behind a car … even some stomach aches with that. A few people have had vomiting along with it, but that’s mainly been with the Norovirus.”

   Viruses like Norovirus are immune to hand sanitizer due to a hard capsule that protects them from alcoholic sterilizers, which is how people clean their hands or contaminated surfaces.

   “They found out that only hand washing was … containing [Norovirus.],” Lansdown said. “If it went through a household, as long as somebody was practicing good hand washing and … staying away from the sick person, then they were less likely to get it. Just using hand sanitizer when you go in and out of classrooms, [is] not cutting it, like it’s still very contagious.”

   Mutations within the pathogens are another factor that propels the spread of sickness. These mutations make past antibodies our bodies have made ineffective, making it difficult for our bodies to build immunity to these diseases.

   “You may have an influenza, a virus that is running rapid in July come back around the following January and February,” Lansdown said. “It’s mutated a little bit- that’s why the vaccines have to constantly be updated every year.”

   That does not mean people don’t get vaccinations, as they are still a source of protection, specifically for those at risk or who have never had the sickness treated.

   “If someone is vaccinated and they come down with the virus, then their immune system will have enough antibodies from the vaccine to help them fight it quicker,” Lansdown said. “[Normally] that person may have become so sick that they landed in the hospital if they weren’t vaccinated, [but] hopefully, the vaccine will be enough protection for them.”

   Even with vaccinations, there are sicknesses that can leave one weak and drained despite treatments or medicine. If that happens, there are multiple ways to help facilitate recovery.

   “Get plenty of water and get all of that flushed out of your system, especially if you’re really congested,” Lansdown said. “Taking the over-the-counter medicines to treat the symptoms [and] call your doctor if you have any questions or you don’t feel like you’re getting better quick enough. A lot of times someone who’s had the flu- it can take days to get your energy back, so don’t expect to feel better in 48 hours.” 

   Freshman Alexander Moore dealt with a heavy cough that led to bronchitis, which causes increased mucus production and inflamed bronchial tubes, all of which might have been due to the common cold.

   “I had to skip a little bit of school, and I took some medicine … [that] helped with it,” Moore said. “[My advice is] drink more water and [get lots of] sleep.”