This time of year is busy for most college students, who lack the luxury of having a few days off (whether illness-induced or not). Unfortunately, many students have been battling illness over the course of the past few weeks. Here are a few comments from UD students and staff about physical wellness on campus.
There are numerous methods to implement to prevent feeling sick. Freshman business major Gabi Vrazo explained how she defends herself against getting sick. “I take a lot of supplements and vitamins,” Vrazo said. “I feel like it was life-changing when I started doing that, because I would get sick all the time. I think just sleep, nutrition and supplements and things like that are really good [in general].”
Dr. William Cody, Associate Professor and Director of medical humanities and biology, explained some ways to reduce the risk of germs spreading during this season.
Cody said, “Washing your hands is a good thing, using the little antiseptic wipes or hand sanitizer, because that’s how you’re gonna come in contact with most people, or most things that may be a vector for disease is going to be with your hands and constantly touching your face, wiping your nose, handing your phone to each other students to show them a meme, that sort of thing.
Dr. Laurette Dekat, the doctor at the health clinic, mentioned a specific strain of flu that has recently spread throughout campus, originating from an external source. “We’re just coming out of our own little flu epidemic on campus, and I know that it has been campus widespread because it has been influenza B, except for one patient, that’s all I’ve seen in easily over 50 students or more that we’ve had diagnosed with flu B. In the community at large, it’s flu A.”
For those who are currently sick, she recommended several action items. “If you are sick, don’t go to class and spread it to all of your classmates. Take the time. Sleep is the best medication. Hydration is behind that, and then natural treatment for cold symptoms, or routine cold medicine. But give yourself a chance to rest, because the body repairs when you’re sleeping. If you push past sleeping, then you’re going to have it longer, and you’re going to have more potential to spread it to more people.” She highly recommended receiving a flu vaccination — which are offered on campus — in the fall season, to protect against the following flu season in the spring.
Regarding recovery, freshman history major Izzy Escobar explained how she prioritizes having time alone for her own sake and the sake of others when she’s sick. “When I’m sick, I try to be by myself […] to let myself recuperate because I don’t want to pass it to someone and then they get it,” Escobar said.
Cody clarified how it’s important to be knowledgeable about wellness during this season and said, “There’s a lot of pseudoscience online. You know, I would not take the special tummy tea to try to prevent you from getting sick. That’s not going to help. But in general, just being well rested is going to help you have an immune system. Your immune system is going to try to protect you from everything that you encounter. But that’s a very energy-intensive process.”
Here to address all of your medical needs, the doctor’s office in the University Student Health Clinic is located on the second floor of the Haggar University Center and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.