Freshers’ Flu: Two words that no student wants to hear yet can’t seem to escape owing to a variety of contexts. With all of the thrills, adventures, and new experiences; the first few weeks of your first semester will probably be a rollercoaster ride. Academics and extracurricular activities usually take the forefront and students have a hard time getting rid of the flu that befalls them. This article explains all about the freshers’ flu meaning, the symptoms, and precautions to be taken.
What Is Freshers’ Flu?
For young adults, the start of university is a hectic period of meeting new people, figuring out their way in a new country, and spreading infections that their immune systems have never encountered before. When combined with a bad diet, lack of sleep, increased stress, and colder temperatures, the dreaded flu is likely to occur.
Freshers’ flu is a phrase for a cold-like virus that causes symptoms such as sore throats, coughs, high temperatures, and fevers. The freshers’ flu symptoms are more likely to hit university students in the fall semester, but close to new viruses/germs can make professors sick as well.
What Causes This Flu?
Fresher’s flu is typically caused by a mix of factors, including:
Mingling
You’ll most certainly encounter a lot of new students from all over the place, whether in clubs, university classrooms, or other enclosed spaces. Because you’ll be meeting individuals from all over the country (and the world), some of them may have viruses to which you aren’t immune.
Sleep Deprivation
The first few weeks of university are frequently marked by active engagement in both academics and extracurricular activities. Overseas students, in particular, require time to familiarise themselves with their new country, city, and culture, along with their academics. Due to the stress of making their ‘dream come true’ perfect, students pay little attention to sleep, which can negatively impact their health.
Alcohol
It goes without saying that there is a lot of socialising to do during the first year of university. There are college friends, seniors, friends from the same country, roommates, friends from the same clubs, and beyond to get to know. Almost all of the time, alcohol is an unavoidable part of this socialising, and it has a negative impact on the immune system and could possibly lead to freshers’ flu. So the next time you wish to socialise, how about a movie marathon party or a tea-slumber party?
Stress
Moving to a new country or a city or getting yourselves into an entirely new situation for that matter may be stressful in a variety of ways. This may lead to the stress of being able to adjust well and quickly enough to overcome the cultural shock that you may have anticipated. This stress is likely to have an influence on your health and be the main cause of the flu.
How Do You Know You Caught The Flu?
Freshers’ flu is caused by germ exposure. Different people carry different viruses, pathogens, or bacteria, and the others with whom they contact often grow immune to those germs. No one is immune to it at university because they are all meeting for the first time. If you have any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from the flu and may require freshers’ flu treatment:
- Shivering
- Fever
- Dry Cough
- Sneezing
- Headache
- Grogginess
How Can You Overcome This Flu?
Catching the flu is bound to happen at some point or the other during your university life. Here are a few measures you can take to battle this flu when it befalls you –
Maintain A Healthy Diet: You’ll give your body a fighting chance if you obtain plenty of vitamin C and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Stay Hydrated: Keep yourself hydrated so that your weak body is continually clearing out all of those toxic germs.
Take Medication If Required: While there is no immediate cure altogether, there are tablets for pain alleviation from a headache which makes the symptoms more bearable.
Rest Well: This is the phase where the body tries to cope with all the missed out sleep, so make sure you take good rest in order to recover faster from the flu.
Avoid Smoking: Since you are already battling the flu, it is advisable to avoid smoking during this phase. It tends to affect the immune system further and may hinder the recovery process.
Maintain Hygiene: It is not only important to be healthy but also hygienic in order to combat the flu. A clean environment and atmosphere does not attract germs and hence, lower the possibility of falling ill.
Stay Mentally Fit: Keeping away from stress and anxiety will additionally help heal faster. Individuals tend to avoid eating and cannot sleep due to stress and this will in turn lead to falling ill. It is therefore important to stay mentally fit.
FAQs
Q1. What is freshers flu?
Ans: The term “freshers flu,” also known as “student flu” or “fresher’s cold,” describes a widespread disease that many new university students contract. Usually, a mix of cold- or flu-like symptoms are present.
Q2. How long does the freshers flu last?
Ans: Freshmen flu can linger anywhere from one to two weeks, although this can vary. Runny or plugged nose, sore throat, cough, exhaustion, and a low fever are possible symptoms.
Q3. How do you get rid of a fresher flu cough?
Ans: Keeping hydrated, getting adequate sleep, and utilizing over-the-counter cough medicines may all help to relieve a fresher flu cough. It is advised to speak with a healthcare provider if symptoms continue.
Q4. What are symptoms of freshers flu?
Ans: Freshmen flu symptoms might include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, tiredness, moderate body pains, and occasionally a low-grade fever.
Q5. Is freshers flu contagious?
Ans: Yes, freshers flu is contagious. Its spread can be slowed down by taking preventative steps like frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with ill people.
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