We’ve all been there before, runny nose, scratchy throat and fever. Suffering through the school day is tough when you’re sick. The flu is back and for some students it’s taking a toll on their grades. For Junior Madisyn Gardner, being sick was just too much. Her homework piled up and the agony of having to catch up was adding stress to the rapidly approaching finals.

“I was really sick for like a week. It affected me because all I could do was sit home and wait.  I was worried just knowing the future homework I was missing,” Gardner said.

Sophomore Jack Lombard spent a week in bed recovering from the flu. “I only had a fever of 100 degrees but I still felt the crappiest I ever have,” he said.

Getting back in the flow of school was hard for students including Junior Emily Nina. “My GPA dropped .3 points. I have no idea what I’m going to do about finals, and the semester ending,” Nina said.

Finals are next week and sickness is looming. School counselor Mike Walsh visited the doctor’s office this last week and was asked if he had gotten his flu shot.  We thought the flu season was over, but now it’s time to hunker down and get ready for round two. “My doctor told me they aren’t really sure what string of the flu that’s going around, it might even be a new one,” Walsh said.

With the semester ending and students hustling with last minute cramming, doctors are recommending lots of fluids, eat vitamin enriched foods, and wash your hands.