Nov 2

Nov 2 That Time of Year: How to not get sick at college.

College is all about community. It’s about the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. It’s about sharing. While you’re here, you share meals, you share a room, you share professors, you share common experiences like football games, parties, and concerts, you share common bathrooms…

…And of course, you share germs.

So when one person gets a cold or the flu, everyone else seems to come down with it too. In close proximity, illnesses spread easily. So here are a few tips to avoid getting sick in college.

How To Avoid It

Get a flu shot- You probably won't have to travel further than the campus Health Center and you can prevent the worst of winter's yucks. You don't want to be stuck in your room and sick for several days.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
Avoid areas where everyone seems to get sick. If everyone at the library or the computer lab is hacking and has a tableful of tissues, stay as far away as you can.
Regularly disinfect all surfaces: Part of the essentials this time of year is a small spray can of Lysol or some disinfectant wipes. Don't just clean your room, disinfect it. It will help kill any lingering germs that can get you sick later. This time of year, hand sanitizer isn’t being compulsive, it’s being wise.
Rest and de-stress - Too many all-nighters and last-minute papers takes a toll on your health and opens you up to illness. Get a good night’s sleep regularly (see here for more on sleeping and rest).
Have an “I’m sick!” kit prepared beforehand. You’re going to catch something sometime, and at that point it’s probably too late (or too uncomfortable) to get all this stuff… so get it before you get sick:

• Tissues
• Hand sanitizer (>60% alcohol)
• Some fluids: bottled water, tea, Gatorade (or the like). Maybe some honey or lemon juice for the tea?
• Ramen (c’mon, you’ve probably got this already)
• Thermometer
• Salt (for salt water gargling, if your throat is sore)
• Over-the-Counter meds:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) reduces fever, takes care of aches. Follow dosing procedures, don’t take too much.
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). You don’t need a prescription (unless you try to buy a lot), but you’ll have to ask the pharmacist for it (and show a driver’s license or other official ID).
• Be very careful if you’re taking more than one medicine; read the label to be sure you’re not double-dosing something (like taking Tylenol and a cold med that contains Tylenol).

Too Late! It Already Got Me!

Kelci Lynn Lucier, USNews & World Report, has some suggestions if you're already beyond the 'prevention' stage:

Let the right people know:
Let your professors know you're missing class if you are a student in a small class, have a big day in class (meaning you have a paper due or presentation to give), or have any other responsibilities where your absence will be both noted and problematic. A quick email letting your professor know you're sick, while promising to follow-up with them about how to make up the assignment (including a gracious request for an extension), should only take a few minutes to write but will save you quite a bit of time later. Also, check your syllabi or ask what the prof’s policy is if you've missed something major, like a midterm or paper deadline.

Ask if you can borrow your classmates/friends’ class notes so you can stay up to date on your studies.
Check in with your RA or RD and let them know that you are not feeling well.
If you’re going to miss more than 1 or 2 sessions, you should send a follow-up note to the prof updating them, and even check in with your Academic Advisor to let them know and get some advice for staying up on your work. Even a doctor's excuse doesn't always go as far as demonstrated willingness to (a) take responsibility for your missed work and (b) work with your professor to get caught up.

Let yourself rest. Yes, you have that group project, that event your club is planning, and the concert you and your roommate have had tickets to for months. Gotta say no. Don’t get sicker because you didn't take care of yourself. Let yourself sleep!

Eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids. Eating healthy in college can be a challenge but it’s not impossible. What would your mother want you to eat: more fruits and veggies, things with nutrition, healthy liquids. So, no, that donut and a Diet Coke won't work for breakfast, especially when you're sick. Grab a banana, slice of toast, and orange juice instead. And don’t starve yourself either: Being sick is no time to fight back against the Freshman-15. Ask your friend or roommate to get you a to-go box from the Caf if you have a meal plan… yeah, you’ll owe them a big favor, but it’s better than starving.

Ask a friend or your roommate to get you some medicine. Even the basics, like aspirin and DayQuil, can make a bad cold or flu manageable. Don't be afraid to ask a friend or roommate to grab you something while they're out and about (and of course, do the same for them when they’re sick!).

Head to the Health Center for a check-up. If you're sick for more than a day or two, have really bad symptoms, or otherwise just don't feel right, utilize what your campus has to offer. Make an appointment -- or just walk in. They can check you out while also offering advice and medication to get you back on your feet.

Don’t spread your germs… even to yourself!

Stay in your room. This is no time to personally share your misery with everyone on your floor or your house/apartment.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
Don’t share cups, towels, or any personal items.
Cough or sneeze in the crook of your elbow.
Wash your sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and bath towels because when you're sick, those germs get caught in fabrics. Continuing to put your face on those germ-infested fabrics will keep you sick longer!

Prioritize your to-do list and time management. As Lucier notes,

If you're sick for more than a day or two, you will likely fall behind on at least something -- life in college moves very, very quickly. Take a few moments to write down a little list of what you have to do and then prioritize. Getting to the health center for a Strep Throat test? Priority! Updating Facebook with pictures from last weekend's party? Not a priority. Take care of the most important things now so you can do the other things you want and need to do later.