go college is supposed to be one of the most exciting fourth dimension of your life , full of new friend , party , and the freedom to exhaust pasta for all three repast a day . And for a while , it can sure enough find like that – then , one day , you wake up with a slightly mad pharynx . The next thing you recognize , you ca n’t remember what it feels like to breathe through your nozzle . You ’ve been struck by the dreaded “ freshers ' flu ” .
Despite the name , it does n’t just affect freshmen ; the offset of a Modern schooltime year will see sophomore , juniors , and elder alike struck down by the lurgy . But what actuallyisfreshers ' grippe , why does it happen year - in , yr - out , and most importantly : is there a way to avoid it ?
What is freshers' flu?
While it might seem like everyone is catching the same thing , that ’s not necessarily the lawsuit – like the common common cold , freshman ' influenza is more of a haul - all terminus for a motley of unlike pathogens that can have you expend a respectable chunk of your student budget onchicken soup .
This special rotation of nasties may well include influenza viruses as the name implies , but also other respiratory viruses that we tend to see more ofheading into the fall months , like enterovirus , rhinoviruses , and coronaviruses ( including SARS‑CoV‑2 , the one that causes COVID-19 ) .
Symptomsof fresher ' flu might vary face by case , but they ’re usually somewhat alike to those we ’d ordinarily relate with the common frigidness or the grippe , such as a sore pharynx , cough , fluid nose , tiredness , feverishness , and headache .
It should be noted that some of these symptoms are similar to those ofmeningitis , a rare but serious infection that students are particularly at risk for . There are vaccinum available that can protect against transmission , but regardless , it ’s helpful to have it away some of the key symptoms : a eminent temperature , severe vexation , cockeyed neck , and clean sensitiveness . Rashes can sometimes appear too - which could be an indicant of meningitis if they do n’t fleet when a glass is press on them - but not always , so it ’s best not to hold back for one to appear .
Why does it happen?
According to an clause by molecular biologist Dr Derek Gatherer , inThe Conversation , we ca n’t definitively say why freshman ' influenza happens . Gatherer excuse that “ as far as difficult skill goes , there is not enough evidence to really understand the bloodline and pattern of the term ( if it is one condition ) . ”
There are theories , however – many of which fall on the estimate that an influx of novel students also imply an influx of computer virus that their classmates ’ immune systems have n’t been let out to before , and that the intense socializing that happens in those first few weeksups the hazard of exposureeven more .
Even if that were not the caseful , the start of the school twelvemonth also tends to coincide with the scratch of the annualcold and influenza season , a full stop of the class that also wreak the great unwashed indoors and closer together .
Can it be avoided?
fresher ' flu is probably harder to obviate than an to a fault enthusiastic RA . However , there are some steps that can be ingest to at least try and reduce the chances of getting tired of .
There ’s picayune that can be done to stay away from the crowd – even if you ’re not a company animate being , mass are still enthusiastic about lecturing at this clip of year – but the usualapproachto forfend respiratory viruses , like wash your hands often , sustain shared surfaces and equipment clean ( like that residence hall elbow room coffee tree machine ) , and using paw sanitizer can help . Also , wearing a mask if you feel ill and ca n’t invalidate pass out helps to protect others .
make certain to eat ( include yield and veg ) , drink ( no , we do n’t entail alcohol ) , and catch some Z’s enough can also aid to keep the immune scheme conflict - quick , even if those things are easier pronounce than done in amongst socializing and learn .
If freshman ' flu does strike , the approaching totreating itis likely a conversant one if you ’ve ever had a cold : cozy up in bed , get some rest , and pledge plenty ( of water that is – a katzenjammer emphatically wo n’t help oneself ) .
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The subject matter of this clause is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice , diagnosis , or treatment . Always essay the advice of dependent wellness providers with questions you may have regarding medical condition .
