As the semester begins and the weather starts to get cooler, it seems like sickness is all around us.

Whether it be COVID-19, the flu, strep throat, or a common cold or upper respiratory virus, getting sick seems unavoidable in college. But it really isn’t, if you know how to keep yourself healthy.

Preventing the spread of germs is more than just hand washing and using hand sanitizer. According to the CDC, getting vaccinated for viruses like the flu and COVID-19 are the best way to keep you from getting sick. Vaccines help your body to create antibodies, which helps with fighting off diseases when you’re sick. For this year, the CDC recommends you get one flu vaccine that covers all three variants of the disease. COVID-19 vaccines are different — regardless of if you’ve been vaccinated before, the CDC recommends one booster shot if you’re not immunocompromised. If you are, an extra dose is recommended.

But what if you’re already vaccinated? And how do you stay healthy and avoid getting something like strep or a cold? It’s important to always wash your hands, but it’s also important to keep your environment clean. Regularly cleaning your dorm room or apartment, including wiping down frequently touched surfaces with antibacterial wipes and even investing in an air purifier, can help prevent the spread of germs to you or your roommate.

If you get sick, though, it’s important to prevent your germs from getting to everyone else. Isolation is smart for most illnesses, especially respiratory ones like a cold. But for more serious things, like the flu, COVID-19, or strep throat, it’s important to see a medical professional and get tested.

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The University Health Center, located in Nicks Hall, offers COVID-19 tests to students, staff and faculty. If you test positive for something like COVID-19 or the flu, it’s important to follow any instructions given to you by a provider.

According to the CDC, if you test positive for a respiratory virus, it’s important to isolate until your symptoms are better and you’re fever free. After 24 hours, you can get back to normal activities. Additionally, if you’re prescribed medication, make sure to follow the directions, especially if you’re given antibiotics for something like strep throat. If you test negative for COVID-19, the flu, and strep, but still feel bad– make sure to always wash your hands, and if possible, wear a mask to prevent others from getting sick.

Communicating with your professors is also important to keep them in the loop about how you’re feeling, and so you don’t miss any assignments. Having friends in your classes also gives you an inside look into how your class is going if you get sick.

Bottom line: wash your hands, clean your room, and seek medical help if you need it. You can’t perform at your best academically if you’re coughing and sneezing non-stop.

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