Parents, Due to the change in temperature as well as viruses being spread, many = students are sick during this time of year... Look below for some information about the Flu and the common cold. The = information was found at the Palmetto Richland Wellness Website: http://www.palmettohealth.org/wellness/index.html = =20 It's flu season=AFHow close is too close? Every year we face a battle against the flu virus, and many of us lose. = Dr. Joseph Horvath, infectious diseases physician at Palmetto Health = Richland, says the best defense against the flu is to get vaccinated = annually.=20 The influenza virus is spread through germs in the air when someone = infected coughs or sneezes. The virus is not spread through touch, so one = would be unlikely to get sick from touching a doorknob or using a hone = after an infected person.=20 Typically the flu season runs from December to March, and affects up to = 30-40 percent of the population each year. Dr. Horvath recommends getting = vaccinated in November, and strongly advises the frail and elderly to get = their shots. Approximately 80-90 percent of those who are vaccinated = respond well. The vaccination has no side effects, but anyone with an = allergy to eggs should not receive it. =20 A "Common" Cold? However "common" the cold may be, it can make you feel pretty lousy. What = would you do to prevent yourself from getting a cold? Would you make a = commitment to fitness if you were told that proper exercise could be key = to prevention? You should. Exercise perks up your immune system and = improves your cardiovascular system. However, if you overdo it with a = fitness routine, you're likely to experience pulled muscles and a lowering = in your body's ability to fight disease. Keep yourself healthy this season = by following these tips:=20 Brisk walking 45 minutes, five times a week for 15 weeks increases killer = cell activity, which helps destroy viruses and malignancies in the body's = cells.=20 People who participate in a proper exercise routine experience half the = number of days with cold or flu-like symptoms when compared with people = who do not exercise.=20 Moderation is important since stressful exercise (high intensity and long = duration) decrease the ability of certain immune cells to function = properly.=20 =20 --------------------------------------------------------------- St. Andrews Middle School General Information: School Phone Number: (803) 731-8910 Fax Number: (803) 731-8913 Principal's Secretary: Mrs. B. Doctor 731-8910 Principal: 7th Grade Administrator: Mr. K. Richardson 731-8910 Assistant Principal: 6th Grade Administrator: Mr. J. McIntosh 750-4034 Assistant Principal: 8th Grade Administrator: Ms. T. Broome 750-4032 School Resource Officer: Deputy F. Brantley 750-4076 6th Grade Guidance Counselor: Ms. S. Dunning 750-4030 7th Grade Guidance Counselor: Ms. N. Shealy 750-4029 8th Grade Guidance Counselor: Ms. M. Hatcher-Franquiz 750-4036 Curriculum Resource Teacher (CRT): Ms. G. Morris 750-4031 Attendance Office: Ms. V. Starks 731-8912 Database Specialist: Ms. P. Forbes 750-4027 School Nurse: Nurse L. Ruff 750-4028 School Cafeteria: 731-8914 Media Specialist (Library): Ms. Black 750-4072 St. Andrews Middle School Webpage: http://www.richlandone.org/sams/ContentsFrame.htm SAMS Discussion List Archives (All Messages Submitted): //www.freelists.org/archives/samscommunity/ SAMS Discussion List Webpage: //www.freelists.org/webpage/samscommunity Richland County School District One Webpage: http://www.richlandone.org