Being sick while you’re at college is completely different than being sick at home. Your mom isn’t here to bring you breakfast or some soup in bed and a cocktail of medicine to make you feel better. More likely than not, you’ll be all alone in your suffering. But worry not — it’s better to figure out how to take care of yourself now so that in the future, you won’t always have to rely on mom.
The beginning phase of a cold
Oneka B. Marriott, assistant professor of pediatrics and public health in the NSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, said each year, millions of adults and children become sick with symptoms related to the common cold, including runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, headaches, body aches, watery eyes and sometimes fever.
“Winter and spring tend to be the peak times of year for colds, but in Florida, where the weather is tropical for most of the year, colds can occur year round,” Marriott said. “If you do contract a cold, stay home to prevent spreading it to other people; cough away from others and into a sleeve or tissue. Also, rest and drink plenty of fluids.”
Over the counter cough and cold medicines can help to provide symptomatic relief but will not actually treat the infection, said Marriott.
Outtakes is your new mom
Outtakes has everything from orange juice to chicken noodle soup, albeit not as good as mom’s, to medicine to fresh fruit to tissues. In a pinch, you can buy Pepto-Bismol, Advil, Motrin, Emergen-C, Zertec and other medicines to help you feel better. Stock up on basic pain relievers, cold/flu medicine, and of course some soup, before the sickness gets worse so you won’t have to leave your room if you’re feeling ill.
Marriott said the common cold is spread through respiratory droplets that pass in the air or remain on surfaces where other sick people have been.
“The common cold typically lasts seven to 10 days and will resolve on its own in otherwise healthy individuals, but it can be more severe even progressing to pneumonia in persons with asthma or immune compromising conditions,” she said. “Colds that linger longer than seven to 10 days can turn into sinus infections, which will prolong the course of the illness.”
According to WebMD, an over-the-counter mucus thinner like Mucinex, some chicken soup and a warm towel (see below) over your nose can treat a sinus infection within 12 hours.
Bonus (cough, cough): if you start to feel yourself getting sick with a cold, Emergen-C can stop it right in its tracks. Take a dose as soon as you feel a cold coming on or if you want to eliminate your chances of getting sick by someone you know who is already ill.
Schedule an appointment with NSU’s Student Medical Center
Marriott said sinus infections may require the treatment with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider.
“If an individual is experiencing sinus pressure, congestion, headaches, fatigue, malodorous breath or sore throat beyond the seven to 10-day window typical of a common cold, I would encourage him or her to seek medical attention as soon as possible,” she said.
Located behind the main Health Professions Division building in the Sanford L. Ziff Health Care Center, the clinic provides a wide range of services from women’s health to immunizations to a simple checkup.
There are plenty of walking-distance pharmacies to choose from
If your doctor prescribes a medication that needs to be filled at a pharmacy, there are plenty on or near campus. Right next to the Student Medical Center is NSU’s pharmacy. On University Drive, there is a Walgreens and the Shark Shuttle has routes that go to both Publix and Walmart. If all else fails, near Publix on Davie Road, there is a CVS Pharmacy. So there’s no excuse to do without your medication.
What to have on hand
Marriott said acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are good to have on hand, in general.
“But it is not as important to keep a stock of cold medicines in the cabinet as it is to recognize the early signs of a cold and act accordingly,” she said. “Sometimes medicines can expire in the cabinet if kept too long, so always check the label before taking.”
Fever is the body’s way of fighting an infection, according to Marriott.
“In many instances, it represents a healthy immune system that is actually doing its job,” said Marriott. “However, fevers can make a person feel pretty miserable. Drinking plenty of fluids, resting and taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed to help control the fever may relieve some of the uncomfortable feelings.”
Pro tip: buy a heating pad and an ice pack to relieve pain resulting from inflammation, muscle tenderness, headaches, fever and stomach aches. A humidifier can help with stubborn sinus pressure and congestion. Alternately, steam from a hot shower or a pot on the stove will suffice in place of a humidifier; use frozen veggies for an ice pack and a rag soaked in hot (be careful) water for a heating pad.
Healthy habits
Marriott said the best way to treat a cold is to take measures to prevent it in the first place.
“The number one best practice is to wash your hands thoroughly and often throughout the day with warm soapy water,” she said. “Keep your hands out of your face, eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid direct, prolonged contact with persons who are actively sick. Last but not least, everyone who is able, is encouraged to get the yearly influenza vaccine to help prevent infection from many of the common strains of influenza circulating that season.”
Marriott said maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and daily exercise is important to fortify your system against infection.
While there is no cure for colds, nor do flu shots work 100 percent of the time, according to WebMD, a 2009 study showed that the more you sleep, the less like you are to succumb to a respiratory bug.
Aerobic exercise increases blood flow and the body’s natural virus-killing cells, and eating foods with phytochemicals, like dark green, red, orange and yellow vegetables, contain vitamins that keep you healthy and prevent colds, according to WebMD.
“Daily multivitamins, probiotics, balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, proteins and healthy fats are essential in one’s daily routine,” said Marriott. “Regular exercise also helps to keep the immune system strong and can help you to recover quicker once stricken with a cold.”
If you’re prone to getting sick, living on campus and away from home can seem like a real life nightmare. However, practicing good eating habits, getting enough rest, exercising, preparing in advance and acting quickly, among other things, will get you back on your feet in no time at all.
For more information. Marriott recommended visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
To schedule an appointment, call 954-262-1262 after 8 a.m. Appointments are scheduled between 8:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clinic accepts both NSU’s student health insurance and private health insurance.
