The Brown-Lupton Health Center reached its highest number of patients this year on Sept. 4, seeing 132 students, Sally King, RN and associate director at the health center, said.
The first full month of school marks the beginning of cold and flu season.
“We see more positive tests for various illnesses in September,” King said.
King also said that the most common health concerns seen at the center are upper respiratory issues, such as sore throats, coughing, congestion and headaches.
Emma Lewis, a first-year vocal performance major, said that she had gotten a cold over Labor Day weekend, and right when she got better, the cold returned.
She went to the health center for a walk-in appointment on Sept. 10.
“It was relatively busy when I went. There were about three to four people waiting in the waiting room,” Lewis said.
After visiting as a walk-in, she scheduled an appointment for the following day, Sept. 11 where she missed all four of her classes. She said that there were five people in the waiting room at most, more than the day prior.
As a vocal performance major, Lewis said that she needed to ensure that she did not contract something as serious as bronchitis.
“I was so frustrated because I couldn’t fix myself with what was going on,” Lewis said. “Going somewhere that had the means to figure out what was going on felt relieving.”
Once diagnosed with a sinus infection, Lewis was able to retrieve the necessary medication.
Lewis said that she was satisfied with her experience at the health center and would encourage other students to utilize it.
Sickness Across Institutions
TCU is not the only institution where students are being diagnosed with upper respiratory illnesses during this time of year. Upper respiratory issues are the most common diagnosis among college students across the United States.
In fall 2023, an online survey from the National College Health Assessment surveyed 38 U.S. institutions.
John Elflein, a Statista researcher, found that 34% of students reported having a cold, virus or other respiratory illness in the past year.
How to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses
1. Wash your hands
It is a simple yet effective task: wash your hands.
King said that students should wash their hands several times a day to prevent the spread of germs from person to person.
“Washing your hands can reduce the frequency of colds, COVID-19, flu and other infections,” King said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that individuals wash their hands for at least 20 seconds.
2. Get sleep
The average college student gets between 6 and 6.9 hours of sleep per night. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that young adults sleep at least seven hours or more.
Researchers from JAMA Internal Medicine studied the correlation between sleep and the common cold. They found that individuals who get less than 7 hours of sleep are three times more likely to develop a cold.
“Getting enough sleep helps your immune function and helps your body fight disease or even a common cold,” King said.
3. Stay home when sick
A study from the University of Arizona found that sick employees in the workplace can spread germs to more than 50% of commonly touched surfaces within a two to four-hour span.
Whether it is going to work or class, King stressed the importance of staying home when sick to prevent the spread of germs from person to person.
TCU’s Attendance Expectations & Official Absence Policy states that the Dean of Students Office collects documentation of an absence, such as a doctor’s note. When feeling sick, students can follow this link to submit documentation for an absence.
4. Get the flu vaccine yearly
Statista researcher Preeti Vankar found that as of fall 2023, 47% of college students reported getting the flu vaccine within the last 12 months.
King recommends that college students get the flu vaccine yearly.
“The flu vaccine helps your body build antibodies to various flu strains and reduces the risk of spreading the flu,” King said. “It can take about two weeks for antibodies to develop and provide protection.”
King also noted that the flu vaccine can reduce the severity of the illness.
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the TCU Harris College of Nursing is hosting their annual flu vaccine clinic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Campus Recreation Center. It is free to all students, faculty and staff.
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