The day began as usual, and as it progressed junior Hunter Wright began to feel the symptoms that thousands of Americans feel around this time of year.

“I had body aches, chills, vomiting, fever, and headache,” said Wright.

For a total of six days Wright was sick with the flu and missed an entire week of school as well.

Unfortunately various students were affected this flu season, and on and even larger scale, Hellstern Middle School, was closed for a day due to the large amount of absent students and teachers affected by the flu. This was a first for Springdale schools, and the health department looked at the situation. The school nurse Janet Gershner believes that it is possible for this to happen to Har-Ber as well.

“Kids don’t sanitate and are huggy and lovey, so it’s easier to spread,” said Mrs. Gershner.

Although many contracted the flu from school, some got it from their home environment.

“My little cousin got it and my dad had it, so I probably got it from them,” said sophomore Alex Orpeza.

Orpeza experienced horrible headaches, migraines, a cough, and high fever. He also experienced nausea, never wanted to eat, was tired and dizzy. Orpeza missed a total of three days of school.

Junior Jackson Matayo believes he got the flu from attending the Justin Bieber concert in Little Rock with his sister.

“I got the fever,” said Matayo with a wink.

Matayo missed a week of school as well and suffered through a sore throat, coughing, on and off stomachaches, and a fever.

“The first day was hell, I slept all day, felt terrible, and had on and off fevers,” said Matayo. “There was a lot of sitting and doing nothing.”

The nurse recommends students wash their hands and stay home if sick. Any students with a fever over 100 degrees should stay home for 24 hours, off medication and may come back when the fever is gone.