If you’ve had your own bedroom your entire life, suddenly having to share one may come as a little bit of a shock. Although if you are lucky to score a good roommate, it can truly make your freshman year a more positive experience. No doubt, it still can take some getting used to. You are now forced to share a small living space, and like a new husband and wife, you will be learning to compromise—an imperative life skill.
Learning to share a physical living space is one thing, but sharing each other’s germs is another. Germs tend to disseminate much more rapidly between close contacts. And it doesn't really get much closer than sharing a 200-square foot room.
So how can you protect yourself when your roommate is sick? And just as vital, how can you protect your roommate when you are sick?
There are many types of bugs that can infest a dorm room. I discussed a few that are surprisingly contracted via your feet. But what about everywhere else? Spreading germs through your hands and the air are even more common.
By far the most common two categories of bugs that tend to disseminate like wild fire in college dormitories are the cold/flu viruses and those dreadful stomach illnesses. So let's delve into the two in detail and learn how you can protect yourself from getting sick while in college.
Cold/Flu Viruses
The cold and flu viruses can induce very similar symptoms:
1. Sore throat
2. Fever
3. Malaise
4. Runny and stuffy nose
5. Post-nasal drip – as a result of number one
6. Cough – with or without phlegm
In fact, the typical course often begins with the first three (sore throat, fever, malaise) initially, and continues to worsen in severity as each day passes. The severity often peaks somewhere on day 3 to 5, and then as those symptoms dissipate, the next three set in. By day 7-10, most patients have good improvement. They will unlikely be back to their normal selves, but they feel like they can finally get on with their lives. However, that nasal discharge and post-nasal drip that causes that annoying cough can be persistent even beyond day 14. But it should continue to improve through time.
The cold and flu viruses do have some key differences, however:
1. The runny and stuffy nose: This is by far one of the key features of the common cold virus. In the typical cold virus, there tends to be an overwhelming amount of snot drainage. With the flu virus, not so much. Nasal symptoms may be present, but they are not overwhelming.
2. Body aches: Generalized aches and pains all over are usually caused by the flu virus, and not the common cold.
3. Fever: Although variable, the flu virus tends to cause a more pronounced spike in temps when compared to the common cold. Although, there are some patients with the flu who may never display a fever.
4. Fatigue: If it’s one thing I tend to hear as the most bothersome symptom with the flu virus, it’s fatigue. Patients describe it similar to “being hit by a truck.”
5. Risk level: Each year, up to 50,000 people die from the flu virus each year. And some are very healthy and/or young. It is a shock to see, but it happens too much.
Treatment of the Cold and Flu
The common cold and flu are viruses, not bacteria. Therefore, there is no cure. Antibiotics are ineffective for viruses; they are designed to destroy bacteria only.
So what can you do?
Once contracted, the viral course needs to simply play out. Now that you are aware of the typical viral course, you will know where you are on its trajectory depending on the day number, so you will know what to expect. However, it doesn’t mean you should completely suffer either. Most viruses are treated using over-the-counter medications—but note that these are all symptomatic treatment only, not a cure. But they can help you tolerate the symptoms until you get over the illness.
For more specific suggestions on what to take for which symptom, please refer to my previous podcast on this very topic.
Prevention of the Cold and Flu
Both of these viruses are transmitted in two ways:
Via Touch: This occurs after the infected person has touched their own face (eyes, mouth, or nose) that contains the viral particles and then touches you or another object also handled by you.
Via Air Droplets: This is by far the most common route of spread. This happens when an infected person coughs or sneezes in the air, the viral particles enter the air, and then enter your mouth or nostrils and invade your body through these entryways. This is why wearing a mask can be very useful, especially in public spaces like airplanes and classrooms.
Here’s what everyone can do to stop these bugs in their tracks and to help protect your roommate from getting sick:
1. Get a flu shot: Getting a flu shot doesn’t only protect you, it helps to protect others you live with or come into contact with. It protects you and those surrounding you, who might be even more susceptible—babies, parents, grandparents, siblings, spouse, co-workers, supermarket shoppers, etc., and, of course, your college roommates.
2. If you are sick, please do not cough or sneeze in the air: Do so in a tissue instead, discard the tissue right away, and then wash your hands immediately. If a tissue is not readily available, please cough or sneeze in your elbow sleeve. Doing this one thing alone can really help greatly.
3. Wear a mask: If you wear a mask you cannot as easily transmit the virus to your classmates or roommates. You should also wear one at the doctor’s office, where more fragile patients often share space.
4. Don’t touch your face: If you do not touch your face, then you cannot as easily transmit the virus via touch.
5. Wash your hands: If you do touch your face, wash your hands immediately. If you are unable to wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, then please carry and use an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.
Stomach Bugs
Personally, I’d rather have an upper respiratory bug any day over some of these nasty germs that wreak havoc on our digestive tract. Spending your days and nights close to a toilet can be quite debilitating. Here are some of the symptoms associated with infectious stomach illnesses, termed “gastroenteritis”:
Fever
Malaise
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach ache
They are typically contracted in two ways – either via consumed contaminated food (called “food poisoning”) or via the touch of an infected person.
There are three main categories of stomach bugs:
1. Viruses: By far the most common cause. These include such viruses you may have heard on the news, called Norovirus, Rotavirus, and Adenovirus.
2. Bacteria: According to a large study of over 30,000 stool cultures obtained from 10 hospitals shows that 5% of GI illnesses are caused by bacteria. Viruses are much more common. These bacteria include E.Coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter. Bloody diarrhea, in particular, is more concerning to be bacterial in origin.
3. Parasites: These bugs are even less commonly a cause of stomach illness than bacteria. Their prevalence is higher in outside countries and is more of a concern in those who travel.
What’s important to note is that no matter which type of bug, gastroenteritis is typically self-resolving. What is most concerning is the severity of dehydration that may ensue, via loss of fluids in diarrhea or with vomiting. When it is more serious, patients are often hospitalized for intravenous fluid administration.
Prevention of Gastroenteritis
Whether or not your roommate is suffering from these nasty bugs, you can do the following to help prevent their spread:
· Wash your hands frequently: After shaking hands, taking out the trash, changing diapers, touching your face, and using the restroom. Wiping commonly shared items with an anti-bacterial wipe is also wise—telephones, door handles, windows, lamps, etc.
· Practice safe food handling: Wash your fruits and veggies thoroughly, cook your food according to recommended temperatures, and avoid drinking unpasteurized milk. At restaurants, make sure your meat, seafood, and poultry are cooked well-done.
It goes without saying, for both of the above highly infectious illnesses, please stay home.
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Please note that all content here is strictly for informational purposes only. This content does not substitute any medical advice, and does not replace any medical judgment or reasoning by your own personal health provider. Please always seek a licensed physician in your area regarding all health related questions and issues.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
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