With Freshers under way across the country, many students are partying like there’s no tomorrow. But with all the fun of Welcome Week also comes those dreaded two words – Fresher’s Flu.
This blog will dive into it, from what Fresher’s Flu is and how to try and avoid it in the first place, to cures that should have you feeling better in no time!
What is Fresher’s Flu?
Fresher’s Flu is a collective name for the wide variety of cold and flu viruses that are typically spread at the start of a university term. During Welcome Week, the fact that students are coming from various different cities and countries, living in shared flats and going clubbing creates a strong breeding ground for infections. Whilst you can get Freshers' Flu any time, you’re more prone to it in first year when you’re likely socialising more and your immune system hasn’t been exposed to as many infections.
Most students only experience cold-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, blocked nose, headaches and tiredness. However, some may encounter more traditional flu-like symptoms, including fever, severe aches and pains, fatigue and respiratory issues. If your symptoms do worsen, it’s always worth getting yourself checked over by a doctor.
Don't confuse it with meningitis
Notably, the early signs of more serious conditions, such as meningitis, can also mimic Freshers' Flu. If you experience a stiff neck, severe headaches, sensitivity to light or a rash, you should go to A&E or call 999 straight away – don’t wait for it to improve.
How do I avoid Freshers' Flu?
Now you know what Freshers' Flu is, you’re probably wondering how you can avoid it. Some of the best advice is to make sure you build up your immunity before you go to university. This can be as simple as getting into a good sleep routine (aiming for at least 6-8 hours per night), taking multivitamins and eating healthily. In addition, you should also ensure you are up to date with any injections, particularly those for MMR and Meningitis. You can also get a flu jab if you are eligible or want extra protection.
When you get to uni, you should aim to maintain your routine as much as possible. Although it can be difficult to get enough sleep when you’re going out every night, you should try to plan your days so you can have a bit of a longer lie-in. It might also be worth having a few nights in during Fresher’s week so your body can recover, particularly if you’re already starting to feel a bit run down.
Where possible, you should also make sure you’re drinking lots of fluids and eating healthily. It can be tempting to rely on takeaways and quick ready meals to save time, but eating food which is nutritious and contains lots of vitamins (such as fruit and veg) is going to massively boost your immune system and help to fight off any infections.
If you’re living in a shared flat, you should also try and get into some good habits around hygiene. It’s worth giving any surfaces or handles a quick wipe with disinfectant spray and making sure you’re cleaning shared bathrooms frequently. This is particularly important if you’re hosting pre-drinks or nights-in and are inviting a lot of people round to your flat. Getting into good habits early will also help you establish a solid relationship with your flatmates and help to avoid disputes later down the line.
Finally, it’s worth just being a little bit more cautious when you’re out and about. Avoid sharing cups, water bottles or cutlery and make sure you wash your hands frequently (especially before you’re going to eat anything or touch your face). In addition, you can even carry a mini hand sanitiser with you for times when you can’t wash your hands.
I’ve got Freshers' Flu – how do I get rid of it?
Whilst there are things you can do to reduce your risk of catching Fresher’s Flu, you’re still pretty likely to get it in some form or other so it’s always better to be prepared.
If the dreaded has happened and you’re beginning to feel a little run down, acting quickly can help you stave it off. This can include taking painkillers or ibuprofen, throat remedies (such as Lemsip or Strepsils), or decongestants. It’s definitely worth stocking up on these before you go, as well as any other medications you might need during your first few weeks at uni. It can take a while to register with a new GP practice and it is fairly common for medicines to sell out or be out of stock during Freshers' week.
You should also start to take it easy, avoid going out for a few nights and focus on prioritising sleep and recovery. The worst thing you can do is try to pretend that you’re absolutely fine and just ‘power through’ to keep going on nights out. Whilst this may work for a few days, you’ll likely make yourself more ill in the long-term and it could set you back when it comes to actually starting your course and going to lectures. Keeping it chill for a few nights means you can make the most of any Freshers' events taking place during the day, or meet up with some of the friends you’ve already made.
As well as traditional remedies, there are also more unconventional ones that have (supposedly!) been tried and tested by students in a bid to cure Freshers' Flu. Some of these include sleeping with wet socks, leaning over a bowl of steam to clear your sinuses, drinking extreme amounts of fluids, and eating high quantities of foods which are known to improve your immunity (such as garlic and raw eggs). Whilst we don’t recommend trying any of these, they’re certainly a good conversation starter! If you do try anything unusual, please make sure you stay safe. At the end of the day, Freshers' Flu is just a cold and you don’t want to do anything which gives you a different ailment!
Freshers' Flu – goodbye to you!
For most students, Freshers' Flu is an inevitable part of the uni experience. Whilst you can try to avoid it by building healthy habits which boost your immune system, you might still find yourself feeling a little poorly. The best advice is to act quickly, prioritise rest and recovery, and seek medical help if your symptoms start to worsen. By stocking up on medications and giving yourself time to recuperate, you should feel better in no time at all and ensure you’re fit and healthy to enjoy the rest of your university term!
