Picture this: It’s the day before your midterm and you wake up with a scratch in your throat and a stuffy nose. When you arrive for your lecture, half of your classmates are absent while the other half are coughing up a storm. You immediately stock up on Emergen-C and Nyquil, hoping that some miracle will cure you in time for your test. What, though, might this mysterious illness be? It’s the kind that creeps up on you when you least expect it. It takes you weeks to shake off. It takes out your entire friend group one by one. It’s… frat flu!
What Is Frat Flu?
Okay, but what even is frat flu anyway? While technically not an actual illness, victims of frat flu will often suffer symptoms comparable to that of the common cold. “As a result, you might experience symptoms like a sore throat, congestion, headache, nausea, coughing, and even loss of smell,” says Tony Agida of Inquirer Net. Stress makes our bodies more susceptible to sickness, which is especially apparent during midterm season. Combine late night study sessions, lack of sleep, and poor diets, all of which are factors that contribute to a weakened immune system, and voila: frat flu! But why is it called frat flu?
With finals coming up soon, you’re quite likely to catch something after many all-nighters, 7-Eleven runs, and maybe a little too much to drink. And that something is frat flu.
Of course, you have to study hard if you want to pass your midterms and you probably also don’t want to quit having fun. So, how do you prevent it?
- Hydrate
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While this may seem difficult, drinking water is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body. Aside from helping to boost your immune system, there are several health benefits that water provides. According to Eric J. Olson at Mayo Clinic, “Water regulates body temperature, moistens tissues in the eyes, nose and mouth, protects body organs and tissues, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, lubricates joints, lessens burden on the kidneys and liver by flushing out waste products, and dissolves minerals and nutrients to make them accessible to your body.”
It’s so important for you to get the proper hydration you need in order to combat sicknesses like frat flu! The next time you visit Starbucks for an Iced Chai, maybe consider getting a cup of water too!
- Sleep
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I have yet to meet a college student who gets the recommended eight hours of sleep a night. Whether you’re up late studying or partying, the lack of sleep is seriously impacting your immune system. “Studies show that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold virus. Lack of sleep can also affect how fast you recover if you do get sick,” Olson. So, instead of mindlessly scrolling through TikTok until 2 am, maybe try turning in a little earlier.
- Probiotics
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If there is one thing I swear by it is probiotics. I take about five different kinds of vitamins and probiotics every morning, and they have immensely improved my life! Essentially, probiotics help add more good bacteria into your body. This comes in handy when battling the bad bacteria that come when you get sick with illnesses like frat flu. As said by Cleveland Clinic, “The main job of probiotics, or good bacteria, is to maintain a healthy balance in your body.” A small change in your routine can make such a huge difference in the long run. Hot girls take their vitamins!
- Air Purifier
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Please, invest in an air purifier! Even though you may think they do nothing, I can assure you that they are more essential than you could ever imagine. Air purifiers have so many benefits, including removing airborne allergens from the air, reducing the risk of airborne virus exposure (we’re looking at you frat flu), removing harmful particles, removing dust buildup, and so much more! You better head over to Amazon right now and add one of those bad boys to your cart!
So the next time you wake up not being able to breathe through your nose, make sure to follow these tips!