F-LEE the virus: how students can avoid seasonal illness this fall

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – As summer turns into fall, Lee students have much to look forward to. Vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows color our beautiful campus. Pumpkin patches and hayrides take us back to our childhoods. Coffee shops bring back much beloved pumpkin spice drinks. 

Autumn may offer much comfort and fun, but it brings sickness with it. Flu, cold, and other viruses keep us from doing the fall activities we look forward to. Though seasonal sickness may seem inevitable, there are ways to ward off sickness.

As the air gets cooler, it allows viruses to spread more easily. It also leads us to spend more of our time inside, in close proximity to one another. 

Assistant Director of Health Services and Nurse Practitioner Jan Wright has worked at Lee for more than 20 years. She explains how these conditions lead to the spread of sicknesses:

“People are together … as far as being in dorm rooms, singing together, being in classrooms. The respiratory illnesses are spreading via droplets, and coughing, and sneezing - that sort of thing. So generally, it’s because people are indoors more during the cold time. Plus, the change of season ticks up people’s allergies,” Wright said. 

Close quarters are just one aspect of college life that can lead to the spread of sickness.

“College students don’t get enough sleep because they’re up studying late, or whatever it might be, doing events, that kind of thing. So that wears them down, some. A lot of students don’t eat as well as they could … Students are stressed - that creates the perfect storm to be able to get sick, and then they end up getting exposed to somebody that sits next to them, or that they are living with,” Wright said.

Catching a virus seems inevitable in these conditions. So, how can students avoid seasonal illness? Wright recommends good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands, covering your coughs or sneezes, and avoiding sharing food or drink. 

Dr. Benjamin Christmann is a professor of biology here at Lee. Before that, he worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Medicine. He explains how healthy habits can lessen the severity of sickness:

“Being a healthy person is going to improve your ability to fight respiratory disease. You’ll still get the cold, but it won’t be as bad. You’ll still get the flu, but it won’t be as bad, because if you’re healthy in other ways, your immune system has the resources that it needs to fight it off.” Christmann said.

But, what if a student finds themself sick? Many college students may not know what steps to take without their parents to guide them. Lee University Health Clinic can help students experiencing seasonal sickness. The clinic is free-to-visit, but may include fees for medications and tests. Students can schedule an appointment by calling the clinic, visiting the clinic, or visiting the online health portal.

Any student feeling sick is advised to stay home. Missing class can be intimidating, but students can contact their professors in order to stay on track with their coursework. A professor with experience in the medical field, Christmann provides his own unique perspective:

“If you’re legitimately sick, then legitimately stay home … All you’re doing is putting me at risk and other students at risk. And if I get sick and have to miss class, then that harms everyone … that compresses the schedule, it throws things off … I don’t want to take illness home to my family, and I don’t think students want to have someone else’s disease shared with them. So, be kind, if you’re sick. Protect others,” Christmann said.

The health clinic recommends students get the flu shot. This service is available locally through the health clinic anytime. On October 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., students who file their insurance at the health clinic can visit to receive their flu shot administered by Walgreens.

Lee University Health Services is open Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, visit the Health Services webpage.