Whether students have heard the term, or heard the coughs, “frat flu” has been running rampant through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln these past months.
While “frat flu” is not an actual medical diagnosis, medical experts from the University Health Center said in an email that they define it as “a viral upper respiratory infection that is common in the first couple months of the semester as students increase their exposure to lots of new people (and germs) on campus and, probably, getting less sleep than they need for their immune systems to fight off illnesses.”
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“The term ‘frat flu’ is when you don’t have another diagnosis for it,” Family Nurse Practitioner Tammy Schroeder, MSN, APRN-FNP, said in an email.
So, in short, being around new people and staying up late is a major reason a lot of students get sick, according to UHC medical experts.
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These first few months of school are especially detrimental to students’ health, according to a nurse practitioner.
“It’s the perfect storm,” Schroeder said.
The combination of new people and new germs, hanging out in rooms with lack of ventilation, not eating well and added stress from school makes the perfect conditions for sickness to spread quicker.
On top of that, researchers who are published in the National Institute of Health conducted a series of studies on how alcohol consumption negatively affects immune systems. In an editor’s note, three authors said that “alcohol consumption doesn’t have to be chronic to have negative health consequences.”
Symptoms of “frat flu” include a low grade fever, cough, post-nasal and a sore throat. If these symptoms are prominent, don’t just write it off as “frat flu.” As the weeks of school progress and winter quickly approaches, the viruses students contracted at the beginning of the year should be dying out. Students should first make sure to get tested for COVID-19, influenza and strep throat if they experience any of these symptoms, Schroeder suggested.
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The best way to treat these symptoms is doing the opposite of how students got them. Make sure to get plenty of rest, hydrate with water, stay away from others and eat well, according to experts at the health center. These experts said that over-the-counter medicine can help with symptoms as well. Another thing to think about is continuing to get routine vaccinations. With flu season quickly approaching, it is still important to get those. The University even offers free flu shots for all enrolled students.
While frat is inherent in the name, there are many others who are affected by this onset of illness.
“I think it affects sorority life just like it affects any other students,” said Leigh Thiedeman, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.“I think we (the University staff) all felt it when all the students came back to school in the fall.”
Students who are seeking help can schedule an appointment at the University Health Center, reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services or Center for Advocacy, Response and Education or check out Student Advocacy and Support. Hydrate, eat healthy and go to bed!
Source: https://t-tees.com
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