It is now fall and that means more time inside with others and more cold, flu and stomach viruses going around. This is not happening because of the cold weather, but because people are coming in closer contact with each other.
Freshman Jacqueline Burzo said that she had an early case of the bug. “The first week of October, I was sick with a cold. I did not think to use the Health Services on campus,” Vurzo said. “I do think sicknesses are more common when the weather changes because your immune system is down when it is cold outside.”
Sophomore Caliean Andel felt the same since the weather change caused her to feel a little sluggish. “I was not sick with a cold. I just had a little cough but it was nothing big.”
Living in the dorms also helps to spread these aliments quicker. This is because everyone is in tight quarters and because viruses can stay on surfaces for long periods of time if not cleaned. Also, the droplets that are inhaled when one does not cover his or her mouth when coughing can easily spread viruses.
This is especially the case in triples and suites where six to ten people share a small space. Junior Rachel Fox recalled, “While I did not go to the health center, I came down with a bad stomach bug around finals week. Someone in my suite got it, then my friend and I got it a few hours later. This was very unpleasant because I was feeling ill all night, but I could only let it run its course.”
Erin Kenney, assistant professor in the department of disability services remembers when she became severely ill in college. “I came down with mono one year and it knocked me out for a month,” said Kenney. She explained to her education students, “Your immune system builds up so when you are freshmen, you are likely to get sick a lot. But this happens less and less as you move up and you adapt to the new environment,” said Kenney. She also advises her students to be careful in the dorms because germs spread quickly.
The University’s Health Center is where students can go if they are not feeling well. Emails, such as the one sent out earlier in the term of the suspected mumps outbreak, are used to alert the campus community. People are often not educated until the need arises and an illness becomes apparent.
The norovirus outbreak at Rider University last year is a prime example, because this was also very important for the campus community to be educated on. Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychology, Thomas McCarthy, said, “The University community will get notified when there is a potential threat to campus, but luckily we have had no major outbreaks to date.”
It is important to be prepared and for one not to let their guard down during this time of year. Washing one’s hands is the most preventative measure they can take, even though supplements can help as well.
A student who wishes to remain anonymous said, “All my roommates got sick and then I got sick. I had a bad cough and the Health Center helped give the right remedy for it. They were really helpful and I got better fast.” The student continued, “With the flu season coming, the Health Center offered flu shots last week to help prevent the spread of the flu.”
Secondary education major Katie Abeltin gets a flu shot every year. “When I was a freshman in another college, I got a bad case of the flu that left me sick for a month. I have always gotten the shot ever since,” she said.
PHOTO TAKEN from immunology.org.il
