If someone had stumbled into my interview with US Medical Sciences Director Lisa Peck, they might’ve thought she was a mad scientist warning everyone about the apocalypse. Her hands moved frantically, her eyes widened with each sentence, and her voice roared with urgency as she said, “COVER YOUR MOUTH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!” But she wasn’t talking about a global catastrophe; she was talking about the flu.

     I simply nodded at her panicked warnings, convinced I would be safe from this madness. I always boast that I rarely get sick. However, my so-called immune system of steel turned out to be more like steel-cut oatmeal when, a few days later, I was bedridden and feverish, begging my editor for an extension on this very article.

     As it turns out, I haven’t been the only one. In a recent Upper School survey, 58 percent of the 86 respondents reported getting sick this winter. ‘Tis the season of joy, family, and, unfortunately, germs.

     Winter illnesses aren’t simply bad luck. Crowded travel and indoor gatherings create the perfect environment for viruses to spread. 

     However, these diseases don’t only spread through close contact with others, but through close contact with stress. Sickness is directly related to end-of-semester sickness, Peck explained, so it’s no surprise when classrooms are filled with used tissues in December.

     Even families who spent their winter break at home shouldn’t get too comfortable; these viruses have plenty of other ways to sneak in. Another key factor is humidity, or, rather, lack of it. “[In warm weather], when I cough or sneeze, airborne pathogens hit water in the air and sink to the ground,” Peck said. “But in the cold, there’s less humidity, so those particles stay airborne much longer. We’re basically walking through clouds of other people’s germs.”

     Not only that, but the dry air also weakens the body’s first line of defense. “Our mucus membranes dry out in the winter, and mucus is what traps pathogens before they get deeper into our system. So with less mucus, we’re more vulnerable to infection,” said Peck. 

     With germs lingering in the air and weakened immune systems, winter creates the perfect conditions for illnesses to spread, whether leaving home or not.

     Getting sick over winter break can make it feel like the universe is playing a big prank on everyone. For Freshman Jenna Burnett, the holidays were meant to be spent relaxing with family, but instead, she felt like she was hit by a truck. “I wanted to do stuff that you can’t do when you’re in school… go fishing, go out, do something fun. But I couldn’t because I had to stay inside, so I wouldn’t get anyone sick,” she said.

     At first, couch surfing all day didn’t seem so bad, but as the days dragged on, Burnett realized a person can only spend so many hours lying down. “I could not get out of bed. I could not move. I could not do anything,” she said. “I just spent my days either sleeping, watching TV, or just sitting there, so bored.” 

     Then came the cherry on top: catching up on missed schoolwork. “I missed my [physics] midterm…I barely had time to study. I just had a lot going on that day,” she said.

     “So, yeah, winter is deadly,” Peck said. But before panic sets in, there’s good news: scientists have already cracked the code on how to avoid sickness.

     First things first, handwashing is crucial. “Make sure to wash your nail beds and cover the whole hand,” Peck explained.

      In addition to handwashing, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep is important too. “We heal when we sleep!” Peck said. A good diet and plenty of exercise also help.

     However, if someone finds themselves coming down with a nasty bug, tell them to stay home. Peck insisted it be written down: “STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK,” she said, her voice rising above her chattering students. After all, sneezes can travel up to 20 feet. 

     And for those sneezing in public, their best bet is to cover their mouth properly, Peck said. 

     Of course, even the best efforts won’t guarantee full immunity. Nevertheless, taking the right precautions can make a huge difference between a slight sniffle and a week stuck in bed. 

     Wash up, rest up, and do your part because nobody wants to be the reason the entire class gets sick.