It’s that time of year again: when the sleep deprivation and communal living catch up with you, and you and everyone else get sick for the first time of the semester. In the past this has meant bringing a lot of fluids and tissues to class and taking Nyquil to knock you out until you felt better. But this year is different; every cough has us concerned that we might have it. You know—swine flu.

To be on the safe side, it’s best to avoid spreading whatever you’ve got to others, which means sealing your sneezing and coughing self away from the world and its happenings. But not to worry; that doesn’t strand you in a land of phlegm and boredom. There are plenty of things you can do when your immune system has you down. Of course there are always the old sick-day standbys: used tissue basketball and the daytime dramas of Maury and Jerry Springer. But now the Internet is bursting with Web sites full of entertainment.

Googling “swine flu” will tell you everything you need to know: symptoms, developments on the vaccine and the fact that Marilyn Manson has been diagnosed with it. You can also spend hours reading about questionable things that are done to prevent the illness. For instance, according to The New York Times, the Egyptian government ordered all pigs in the country to be slaughtered, but now the streets of Cairo are filled with garbage that the pigs once ate.

There are also tons of flu-related games available online now. “The Great Flu,” at thegreatflu.com, allows you to try and contain world outbreaks of various flu strains on a limited budget. Freeonlinegames.com also has a game that allows you to protect the city from herds of pigs. It’s a great way to get out your frustration.

And always remember, if you’re computer savvy and feeling healthy enough, you can always add something of your own to the Internet to help those all over the country stuck at home sick. You never know; it could be the next big thing on YouTube. But until you feel better, remember this: Whatever you do, follow the advice of the “Swine Flu Skank,” a preventative video from the United Kingdom, and use tissues to “catch it, bin it, kill it!”

Other happenings

$1 Pitcher Thursdays: Oct. 1 at Dante’s, 3221 Olive St., 10 p.m.–3 a.m.
Dollar pitchers every Thursday at Dante’s. 18 to enter, but 21 and over pay no cover.

That ’80s Club: Oct. 2 at Rue 13, 1311 Washington Ave., 9 p.m.–3 a.m.
Everybody Wang Chung Tonight and every Friday to the greatest hits of the ’80s.

Star Party: Oct. 2 St. Louis Science Center in Forest Park, 7 p.m.–10 p.m.
St. Louis Astronomical Society hosts a free event allowing all to ask questions and see the stars through provided telescopes.

St. Louis Wine Festival: Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 at Forest Park, noon–7 p.m. on Saturday and noon–6 p.m. Sunday.
Festival celebrating local wineries and restaurants with wine tastings and food. Admission is $20 in advance and includes 10 wine tastings.

Taste of St. Louis: Oct. 2–4 at Soldier’s Memorial Park, 12th & Market streets
4 p.m–11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m on Sunday.
Festival of local restaurants with food to buy and live music. Performers include The Presidents of the United States of America and Tonic.