As the temperature drops, so does the attendance at Derby High School. There are more than 2,000 students enrolled at Derby High, but over the past couple of days, 300 students have been absent due to illness. 

Today alone, five students had already gone home sick before 10 o’clock. 

“There have been ungodly amounts of kids coming in complaining about cold symptoms,” school nurse Christy Higginbotham said. “No one has come in with flu-like symptoms, but I know some students have been diagnosed with it by their doctor.” 

Direct contact is the fastest way to get sick. If you’re around someone who is sneezing and coughing, you can also become sick.

If you become ill with the flu, you must stay home for five days before returning to school. 

To prevent getting sick during cold and flu season, s wash your hands, do not share drinks, get lots of sleep, drink lots of fluids.