If your school or workplace is like Rowan, a majority of people are taken down by an illness at the beginning of Fall. Here, we call it the "Rowan Plague". Even our on-campus health clinic has come to using the phrase while diagnosing students. Whether you are in a college residence hall with hundreds of other students or an office workplace with your fellow employees, there are a few ways to keep healthy this flu season.

1. Wash your hands.

Yes, with soap AND water. It's a cliché, but it's one of the best ways to wash off everything you've touched throughout the day. This is especially important before you eat. Think about everything you touch wherever you go and the thousands or millions of microbes that are transferred from that surface to your hands. No need to become a germaphobe, but being aware of health hazards can make a difference in avoiding the flu.

2. Avoid touching your face.

You would be surprised how many times you touch your face without realizing it. Keep your hands away from your face and your food as much as possible, especially if you're not a consistent hand-washer. The openings in your face (eyes, nose, and mouth, for instance) are key gateways into the body. Eat food while holding it in the wrapper. Avoid rubbing your face or eyes.

3. Just, don’t touch anything.

Thinking about it now, there are germs on everything. If you want to avoid getting sick, it may be best that you just don't touch anything. You could probably accomplish this a few different ways. Keep your hands in your pockets. Never leave your bed. Live in a clear bubble. Wear gloves all the time. All very good options.

4. Take constant showers.

Even while avoiding everything, you're bound to come into contact with infectious agents. They're in the air and on you, so you should probably just spend most of your day in the shower. When you step out of the shower, you're already getting things on you again, so just turn around and start again.

5. Avoid engineers.

This is especially relevant for Rowan because engineers are icky anyway, so it's only safe to assume they get ickier during flu season. It's my firm belief that Patient Zero of this year's epidemic started the spread of the "Rowan Plague" in the engineering building, and all the engineers have been disseminating the disease to the rest of us. Prevent illness and avoid engineers.

6. Avoid all people.

You're right. It's not fair to put that blanket statement on engineers. So, to make things easier and fair, just avoid everyone. Stay in the shower in your room, and just don't talk to or get too close to people. If you can keep that up until around December, you should be fine.

In all seriousness, "Rowan Plague" and flu season are times to be aware of your surroundings and be diligent with your sanitary practices. If you have a friend or a roommate that is sick, consider cleaning the apartment more frequently with disinfectant wipes or taking Vitamin C supplements. College is already bad enough, so do you really want to go through it sick?