As you may have read a few weeks ago, many people tend to ask me questions about the H1N1 virus because I’m studying epidemiology (much to my chagrin). I always wind up telling them that it’s not really my area of expertise, that I’m only in my first semester of graduate school classes and the best I can help them with is reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease (if you’re a smoker, you should quit).

Because of the constant attention toward the H1N1, I decided it was over-hyped. While many of my friends increased their usage of hand sanitizer, I continued eating my breakfast through class after touching the railing, the doorknob, the desk, etc. My mom suggested multiple times that I get the seasonal flu shot, but that time came and passed, and I didn’t think twice. When people sneezed in class or let out a sporadic cough, I joined in jest, accusing the cougher of having the “swine flu.”

You can see what’s coming here: last weekend I got sick. While I don’t know if it was H1N1, I know that I fulfilled the CDC’s symptom list of fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Basically I lost the whole weekend and couldn’t do much other than shower and go upstairs or downstairs to switch from my bed to the couch or vice versa.

But my point isn’t to complain about being sick all weekend. My point is that I’ve learned my lesson and I hope that other people out there who are like me before last weekend change their minds. Even if there isn’t a flu scare, these healthy practices are good to follow and can keep you clear of any kind of illness. Also, if you do get sick, stay away from others until you’ve gone 24 hours fever-free without medication. Nobody wants your germs.