While getting sick is absolutely dreadful, getting the flu is downright horrific. A high fever, sore throat, chills, body aches, headaches, and coughing are just some of the symptoms you can acquire when down with the flu. Having the flu is never ideal; classmates end up missing school, substitute teachers become common, and parents miss work.
Nationally, the flu has been spreading around rapidly from person to person for a while now. The 2025-2026 influenza season in the US is undergoing a major surge in cases with about 11-19 million illnesses reported by nationwide hospitals, reaching the highest level in at least 25 years. As important as staying away from sickness is, it is equally important to know how to stay safe when sick with the flu.
“If you’re sick, don’t come to school,” the middle and high school nurse, Marie Wang said.
Staying at home is the best way to prevent students and classmates from being sick, but also taking care of the body is equally vital in staying safe.
Resting at home will help immune systems fight the virus in the body to get faster recovery. It is best to get many hours of sleep, drink many liquids, and to wash your hands. It is also recommended to take naps, limit screen time, and to elevate your head to help with congestion. Once the body is 24 hours free from the flu, then a person can return to school and everyday life, according to the CDC.
But what if there's a lingering cough? Or the throat is still a bit sore? Never fear, the good old 2020 mask is here!
“[A] mask can help prevent the spread, but if you’re suddenly sick and you think you have the flu, the best thing to do is stay home,” said Dr. Kenny Fink, the State of Hawaii, Director of Health.
Having a layer of protection, a mask, comes very handy when sick or when others around are infected with illnesses such as the flu. Students and teachers are all in a close vicinity within each other and passing these sicknesses are not uncommon. But with the protection of a mask, spreading that virus around will be less likely.
What else can help with protection from influenza? The answer is simple: the renowned vaccination, otherwise known as the flu shot.
“The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated annually,” said Fink, admitting that “vaccines are safe and effective. They’ve been around for decades with millions of doses administered.”
A flu shot is never just any old shot, it is a vaccination that prevents the flu, hospitalization, and death. It will also lessen the symptoms when sick, for example the vaccination will help the body fight the virus more quickly, so that the symptoms will be less severe. The shot is highly recommended by doctors worldwide.
But there is another enthusiastically endorsed way to stay safe from the flu, one that many students, especially younger children, forget to do.
“Wash your hands,” Michele Miyamoto, the school's health and physical education teacher said. She continued, “a lot of times you touch things, and then you touch your own eyes, nose, mouth.”
Washing hands is a vital key to not getting sick and to help prevent viruses from spreading around. Most sicknesses, including the flu, come from unwashed hands, filled with germs, bacteria, and most importantly, viruses, going into the mouth, according to Healthdirect.
The key takeaway is to wash hands before and after eating, after using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing, after touching something dirty, and before and after treating a wound. Always wash hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds, covering the area all around such as the backs, between fingers, and under nails.
When one does not feel well and goes home, there is a school policy that must be followed: the school's fever policy.
“You have to stay home until you are fever free for 24 hours without any medicine,” Wang said.
When down with the flu, a common symptom is getting the fever, having a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, vomiting, or any symptoms that prevent concentration. And while it may seem durable for some, it is best advised to stay at home until the body is 24 hours free of the fever.
Junior Ronan Amjadi-O’Shea had gotten badly sick with the flu and was stuck at home towards the end of the semester last winter. His symptoms were high fever, chills, headaches, stomach pains, lack of hunger, extreme fatigue, and feeling lethargic. But he did offer some key tips that helped him recover.
“Definitely isolating, as well as getting your flu shot. And if you are sick, or if you are around someone that is sick, wearing a mask helps a lot,” Ronan said.
Although getting sick with the flu feels awful, the body needs time to recover.
“There’s no magic cure, it just takes time,” Miyamoto said.
