Introduction
Football games. Dorm rooms and roommates. Class lectures. Mono, flu, and meningitis. What do all of these have in common? They are all shared experiences for college students. With move-in quickly approaching, parents and students alike should be preparing for more than just classes. Knowing the most common, contagious illnesses, their signs and symptoms, and how to treat and avoid them is just as important as getting the dorm room set-up. College wellness starts before classes begin.
Common Illnesses
Sharing is usually a good thing…however, not so much when it comes to illness. Being in close quarters for extended periods of time (dorm life), lack of sleep (pulling those all-nighter study sessions), and suboptimal nutrition choices (all you can eat ice cream), can result in sharing disease. College students are most at risk for these top five communicable diseases: meningitis, influenza/cold, mononucleosis, gastroenteritis, and STD/STI.
Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) and infection of the fluid and membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The term itself comes from the word “meninges”, which is the name used for those membranes around the brain. Meningitis is usually the result of a viral infection, but it can be bacterial as well. Meningitis is transmitted from one person to another through throat and respiratory secretions, sharing food and eating utensils, and close prolonged contact with someone who is infected. The symptoms, which can sometimes be mistaken for the flu, are:
Sudden high fever
Stiff neck
Severe headache
Nausea and vomiting
Confusion or trouble concentrating
Seizures
Sleepiness
Sensitivity to light
No appetite
Skin rash (in some cases)
If you have any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to visit the campus health center. You should definitely go as soon as possible if your symptoms are a headache or fever that won’t go away, vomiting, confusion, or a stiff neck. These may be signs of bacterial meningitis which, if not treated with an antibiotic, can cause death within days. Early detection and treatment is key in fighting meningitis and reducing the severity of symptoms.
Influenza, also commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. When someone who is infected with the virus sneezes, coughs, or talks, tiny water droplets containing the virus are sent through the air. These droplets can come in contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth of someone else, causing them to become infected, thereby causing the flu to spread. Flu symptoms can come on quickly and can range from being mild to severe, and can even cause death. If caught early enough, a person can be given an antiviral, which can help to decrease the severity of the symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. Antivirals may also help prevent serious complications in a person who has an underlying health condition. Flu symptoms are:
Fever/chills
Cough
Sore throat
runny/stuffy nose
muscle/body aches
Headache
Fatigue
Because the flu can also look like meningitis, visiting the health center for a nurse or physician assessment will help to determine if you indeed have the flu. They may also be able to prescribe an antiviral if necessary. However, with any illness caused by a virus, sometimes the only answer is to treat the symptoms and support your immune system while it fights to restore your health.
Mononucleosis is an extremely contagious viral infection that is transmitted through saliva, sharing food and drinks, and close contact. Because of this, it has earned the nickname, “The Kissing Disease”. This disease is quite common among teenagers and young adults. Mononucleosis, or mono, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is a type of herpes virus. Some people can contract mono and not experience any signs of illness, but they can carry the virus. For most people mono is not a serious disease and without treatment it will go away on its own. Mononucleosis symptoms are similar to the flu (fever, sore throat, etc.), but there are a few different characteristics that set this illness apart.
Extreme fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpit, or groin
Rash
Enlarged spleen or liver
These are the symptoms that can help identify a case of mono. They can range from mild to severe, but the recovery process can last up to a month, making it very disruptive to work and school life. Unfortunately, antibiotics and antivirals don’t really help defeat a case of mono. Most treatment is focused on alleviating the symptoms. Making sure you have plenty of rest, staying hydrated, using pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help the recovery process. If you are an athlete, or play intramural sports, you may need to talk with your coach about sitting on the sidelines for a few weeks. Not only does your body need to rest and recover, but physical contact in sports may put too much pressure on an enlarged spleen and increase the risk of rupture.
Gastroenteritis can also be referred to as the “stomach flu” or, more affectionately, “Montezuma’s Revenge”. It really isn’t a flu, but it can be a result of viral or bacterial infection. It usually comes on with little warning. It most likely starts with symptoms that will have you making several trips to the toilet. Symptoms like:
Nausea
Cramps
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Later you may start to experience additional symptoms such as:
Loss of appetite
Chills
Fatigue
Body aches
Fever
With vomiting and diarrhea comes the real risk of severe dehydration. If you experience any dry mouth, dry skin, or a decrease in urine output, contact your health center and go see the provider. Depending on what caused the gastroenteritis, it may take anywhere from a couple days to a few weeks to feel better. Treatment usually consists of mitigating the symptoms with rest, hydration, and foods that are easy on the stomach. Think “BRAT” diet–Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. If a bacteria is the culprit, an antibiotic may be prescribed by your provider. To help prevent the spread of the cause of the gastroenteritis, make sure you are practicing good hand washing and hygiene habits and avoid sharing food and utensils.
STD/STI are the initials for Sexually Transmitted Disease or Sexually Transmitted Infection. While these aren’t transmitted through shared food, utensils, coughing, sneezing, etc., they are transmitted through close sexual contact, and blood and body fluids. About 1 in 4 college students have an STD/STI and there are about 20 million new cases each year in the US. Unfortunately, many of these diseases are asymptomatic (without symptoms). This means that they can be transmitted between individuals without either party knowing. The good news, however, is that all STDs are preventable, all are treatable, and most are curable. Depending on the STD, symptoms will vary. The only sure way to know if you have an STD is to get tested. All college health centers offer testing and the cost is usually included in the fee you pay as a student. The best ways to prevent or treat an STD are:
Abstinence–not engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal sex will prevent any body fluid transmission from one person to another, thus avoiding an STD infection.
Monogamy– if you choose to have sex, make sure that you both agree to refrain from having sex with other individuals. Then get tested to make sure that neither of you have an existing STD. Actively engage in open communication with your partner about staying monogamous, any STDs you may have had, getting tested, and any fears/concerns you have about STDs.
Vaccines–there are some vaccines, like the HPV vaccine, that may help prevent certain STDs, however, this is not available for every disease.
Test–this is the only way to know for sure if you are carrying an infectious disease. Because many STDs/STIs do not come with a warning, you may be contagious to others and the disease may progress to a more advanced stage before you notice any symptoms.
Treat–if you are diagnosed with an STD/STI, get treated. Start treatment and stick with it until treatment is completed. Not all STDs are curable, but all can be treated. Unfortunately, many students can be reinfected with STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Re-test–no one likes to take more exams than necessary, but this one is important. Even if you have been treated and you don’t have any symptoms, you should return at 3 months to be re-tested.
Using condoms can be helpful in avoiding pregnancies and some STDs, but in reality they are not fool-proof. There are other STDs that can be transmitted just through close genital contact; something no condom will prevent.
Staying healthy
Avoiding illness shouldn’t add to the stress and pressures of college. By engaging in a few simple lifestyle choices, you can boost your immune system to fight off illness while you’re studying for the big exam. Here are five easy steps to building and maintaining a healthy immune system.
Practice good hygiene. Make sure you wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer, shower often, cover when you cough…basically all the things your parents and grandparents told you when you were young. These simple actions go a long way in preventing the transmission and infection of these contagious diseases.
Get your sleep. All-night study sessions are occasionally a part of college student life, but they shouldn't be the norm. Try to shoot for getting a solid 6-8 hours of sleep per night. The dorm can be full of activity, so investing in a white noise machine may be helpful, if you are a light sleeper. Scheduling your sleep can also help you stay on track and ensure that your body is getting the rest it needs.
Eat a balanced diet. The all-you-can eat dessert bar may be tempting, but it won’t fuel your immune system to a functioning capacity. Use the USDA food pyramid or MyPlate to balance what goes into your body. Avoid high-sugar and empty calorie foods. Energy drinks are a tempting choice after an all-nighter, but frequent use now comes with a health issue price tag later. Opt for foods that will feed your brain, boost your immune system, build muscle, and give you natural energy.
Exercise. Make a point of getting in some exercise a few times a week. Doing anything from a simple walk to playing an intramural sport will help to keep your immune system functioning, improve mental health, reduce stress, and boost cardiovascular tone. Scheduling exercise sessions with a friend will help maintain accountability and add to the fun of achieving good health.
Add in wellness supplements. No matter how hard you try, sometimes optimal nutrition is difficult to come by. Adding in supplements that will boost your immune system and promote wellness can be helpful. Multivitamins, iron supplements, immune boosters, and protein drinks are all solid options in your quest for wellness. Talk with your healthcare provider to discuss any questions and to explore what supplements may be right for you.
Conclusion
From sharing dorm rooms to winning the championship, the college experience is memorable. However, sharing illness isn’t a welcome aspect of college life. Knowing the signs and symptoms of disease, how to avoid illness, and how to stay healthy are just as important as knowing when to register for classes and what major to pursue. Practicing good health habits and making wise health choices can lead to a college career marked with positive shared experiences.
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Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
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