How to avoid getting sick in college (and what to do when you can’t)
Living and working in close quarters makes college a breeding ground for illnesses; some common ones include a cold, the flu, strep throat and mono. Getting sick in college seems inevitable, but there are simple ways to prevent it. And if you do get sick — it happens to the best of us — you can take steps to recover quickly and minimize the effects of illness.
Here are some tips that can help you avoid getting sick in college — and avoid panicking when you do get sick.
Don’t neglect the basics
Always, always take care of your mental and physical health, no matter how busy or stressed you are. This means:
- Getting enough sleep
- Managing your stress effectively
- Eating well
- Exercising
- Staying hydrated
Take your vitamins
If you’re not getting enough of your daily vitamin intake, that’s what Flintstone gummies are for. One of the most important vitamins to boost your immune system is Vitamin C. If you’d rather not take actual vitamins, you can get Vitamin C many other ways, like increasing the amount of fruits and veggies you eat.
Shots, shots, shots
I’m not talking about alcohol. You were probably required to get several vaccinations before coming to college, but don’t forget to take your flu shot. Maybe you think that since you never get the flu, what’s the point in getting a flu shot? Well, this year may be the year that you do get the flu, and then you’ll regret not doing something as easy as getting a shot. You can get a flu shot at the doctor’s, pharmacy or your campus health center.
Sharing is daring (germs to infect you)
Although you may have learned in kindergarten that sharing is caring, you might want to rethink that in college when it comes to drinks, food and makeup.
Keep your distance
Many illnesses can be easily spread. To be safe, try to avoid being in close contact with the infected. Although it may be hard to do, this includes friends and roommates. If your roommate is sick, try to stay on your side of the room as much as possible and clean shared surfaces like sinks and doorknobs.
Bring the medicine cabinet with you
You won’t know how much you’ll regret not having basic medicine with you when you get sick in college, especially if you don’t have a car to drive yourself to the pharmacy.
To prevent this common tragedy, keep your dorm room or apartment stocked with everything you may need to prevent or recover from illness:
- First aid kit
- Extra bandages
- Sunscreen
- Thermometer
- Required medications
- Ibuprofen
- Tylenol
- Antacid
- Cough drops
Wash your hands
Washing your hands after you go to the bathroom is hopefully common sense, but do you really wash your hands for the recommended 20 seconds? You should also try to wash your hands before eating. And if you’re on the go, use hand sanitizer before eating and after touching a lot of objects in public places.
Wash your dishes in the kitchen
Don’t wash your dishes in the same sink you use to brush your teeth, or else risk getting norovirus. Speaking of brushing your teeth, change out your toothbrush every once in a while, around every three months.
Wash your sheets
Continuing with the theme of washing things, don’t forget to wash your sheets, which can be a paradise for fungi, bacteria and allergens. Reports vary on how often you should wash your sheets, but at the very minimum, it should be once a month.
Clean your room
Do a quick clean of your dorm room or apartment once a week.
You’re sick. Now what?
If you took all the proper precautions but still get sick, visit your campus health center as soon as possible. Although some college students try to avoid seeking medical care, don’t put it off because your sickness will probably get worse.
Better yet, be prepared so you’re not freaking out when you do get sick. Have the phone number for the campus health center programmed into your phone and know where it’s located.
If you’re not sure what to do when you get sick, don’t be afraid to seek help — and not just from the internet. Check in with doctors, family members and friends for advice and comfort. And if you’ve seen the doctor but aren’t getting any better, feel free to follow up.
Keep your professors and doctors in the loop when you’re sick for a long period of time. Your doctors will do their best to help you get better, and your professors will do their best to accommodate you. All you have to do is ask.
Though you may think catching an illness in college is entirely unpreventable, there’s a lot you can do to lower your chances. Even so, knowing what to do if you do get sick can save you worry and help you get better faster.
