Tips from the Health Center: How to Navigate Flu Season on Campus

Communal living undoubtedly gives way to unforgettable moments: late-night talks in your Dykstra cluster, early-morning stomping from your upstairs neighbors, and mysterious clumps of hair on the floor of your shower. As the weather gets colder and the sound of coughing and sniffling gets louder, the annual paranoia of getting sick sets in, too. Last year, Norovirus permeated our dorms. This year, it’s the flu. 

“We saw a little over one-hundred students last week, and about 20 percent came in with flu or flu-like symptoms,” Alison Schute said. Schute is a nurse practitioner and the new director of Hope’s health center. In an interview with the Anchor, she addresses common questions surrounding illness on campus. 

How can you avoid getting sick? Schute recommends key preventative methods– washing hands with soap and water, wiping down surfaces in communal spaces, getting lots of rest, eating well, and taking care of one’s body. “We highly recommend seasonal vaccinations for flu and Covid,” she added. “It doesn’t necessarily prevent you from getting sick, but it usually brings your symptoms from severe to mild.” 

If a student does get sick, however, the flu is relatively easy to spot. “We’re looking for a documented fever,” Schute said. Other symptoms that may be signs of flu are a cough, body aches, and a sore throat. If you have these symptoms, Schute recommends that you stop attending class. “Typically if you feel ill, especially if it’s flu-like. . . we recommend that you don’t attend class until you are 24 hours with no fever, and starting to feel better.” 

What should you do if you have these symptoms? “For most people, symptom management is the best option,” Schute says. For students with body aches and a sore throat, she recommends taking Tylenol or ibuprofen. For a cough, she suggests Mucinex DM, and for congestion, she recommends Sudafed. These over-the-counter medicines are available at the health center for a price similar to what you would find at a pharmacy. For students with more severe symptoms or those with an underlying condition, more advanced treatment may be needed. “If they develop flu-like symptoms we would want to see them here . . . and test them to see if they’re candidates for something called tamiflu.” Tamiflu is an antiviral prescribed to treat severe cases of influenza. 

“One thing we’re seeing a lot of is that students want to get tested,” Schute added. She explained the misconception around testing. “Testing was such an integral part of the pandemic, but in this setting, once we see a lot of viruses on campus, we don’t necessarily need to test.” Similar symptoms usually require similar treatment. 

 It’s easy to see why students want to be tested– they want to know what’s going on with their health. Schute reiterates that this is a valid concern; yet she also stresses the importance of using resources effectively. “It’s not that we’re trying to withhold care from people,” she said, “Testing is important for students who are severely ill or who have some kind of underlying disease.” 

Whether severe or not, flu symptoms can be frustrating to deal with. Prioritizing your physical health can sometimes come at the expense of your mental well-being. “Take it as an opportunity for self-care,” Schute suggested. Consider asking yourself what you can do to feel the best you can– remember that your physical and mental well-being should take precedence over your academic record.

Students who are feeling ill may also find support from their friends and family. “Reaching out to people over Facetime or connecting over the phone can be helpful,” Schute said. Friends can support those who are feeling under the weather by bringing them meals or over-the-counter medications. 

For students feeling severely isolated, Counseling and Psychological services (CAPS) could be a useful resource. 

If you’re experiencing severe flu-like symptoms, consider making an appointment with the health center. You can call (616)-395-7585 to schedule an appointment, or walk into their clinic located in Dow Center to schedule in-person. 

(Featured image source: Nico Kazlauskas)