Elevator buttons, shared pens, exercise equipment, buses, cafeteria trays, light switches, door handles, tongs for baked goods, keyboards and key pads of any sort play host to millions of sneaky, silent assassins—germs. These ninjas of the microscopic world exist practically everywhere; it’s no wonder so many college students get sick.

It’s impossible to completely avoid becoming ill, especially when someone in your building comes down with a phlegm-rattling cough and you’re forced to spend twenty-something floors in a tiny, cramped elevator with them. But there are many ways to help prevent catching a bug like the flu.

The first option would be to get a flu shot…duh. The Norris Health Center is running a Walk-In Flu Clinic (yes, the center doesn’t just hand out free condoms) Nov. 6 and 8 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Nov. 7 from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. in the Union Ballroom, as well as, Nov. 30 from 8 a.m. - noon in the Fireside Lounge. The Cost is $10 for students with ID. Cash, check and PantherCards are accepted.

There are also simpler ways to help prevent getting sick. Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly is always a good start. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are great as well because hand soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers are breeding grounds for imperceptible hit men.

But even if you think your hands are clean, keep them away from your eyes, nose and mouth. On average a person touches their face 15 times an hour, and the most common way to pick up germs is through physical touch.

With the simple ways there are also more demanding, difficult ways. Not smoking (it paralyzes the hair-like cilia in your nose that sweep away intruding viruses), reducing alcohol consumption (eek), reducing stress (yeah right, it’s college) and ensuring that you get seven to nine hours of sleep a night are life choices that can greatly reduce a persons susceptibility to illness.

But of course, constantly wearing a medical mask and living in a pristine, plastic bubble is always a feasible option.

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