How to Keep From Getting Sick in College

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Posted: Sep 5th, 2019 at 12:00AM - by e7 Health

Getting sick in college is so easy for several reasons. If you're living in the dorms, that likely means you're living in cramped spaces and in close proximity with other people. The same can be said of crowded lecture halls. Then there are the lifestyle changes to consider. Students often stay up late and get up early, they'e under greater stress, their nutrition might be thrown off, and a party-hard lifestyle marked by boozing can do a real number on their bodies. It's no wonder college students often find themselves under the weather. It's a strenuous time in life for even the most careful young adult, and illness can sneak up on anyone with no warning. Here is some helpful advice for how to keep from getting sick in college.

How to Keep From Getting Sick in College

Stay on Top of Your Physical Exams

It's easy to put doctors' appointments on the backburner. When time and money are limited, they often become an afterthought. Getting yearly exams, however, is one of the best ways to ensure you stay in good health. A doctor will look at your medical history and will check things like your major organs, pulse, and blood pressure. They'll also look for any warning signs of developing health problems.

Money doesn't need to be an obstacle. With e7, yearly physicals are more affordable than ever. We offer student discounts, we'll waive the administrative/office fee, and our titer prices are sometimes half the cost of most labs.

Don't sacrifice your annual physicals and wait until something bad happens to see a doctor. Stop potential health concerns before they even arise. 

Stay Up to Date on Your Vaccines

The flu vaccine is still a hot topic of debate, but you can't argue against science. Does it work? Plain and simple, yes. More recent research has found the flu shot can reduce your risk of getting the illness by 40% to 60%.

The meningitis vaccine is another one students should consider. Close contact with other people increases your risk of getting it, and it can be deadly. College is the perfect breeding environment for meningitis, and young people are likelier to get it. Act now.

When you stay current on your immunizations, you protect not only yourself but everyone else around you. By getting vaccinated, you help your community maintain herd immunity, which means that when the majority of individuals get their vaccines, everyone is protected. This is so important because there are people who can't get certain vaccines, like infants, the elderly, and people with compromised immunity. 

That means that the rest of us have the responsibility to stay healthy. You'd want other people to do it for you, so do it for them in return. 

Staying healthy in college is largely up to you. Other things, you'll need help with. Visit a Las Vegas vaccine center to get current on your immunizations.

Be Proactive, Not Reactive

The best way not to get sick? Stop illness before it can strike. Preventative care is always better than reacting to disaster.

e7 Health's goal is to make this simple and convenient. You no longer have to go to several different places to meet your school's requirements — we'll do it at one clinic. We can provide proof of immunization, take care of your vaccines in time for clinical rotations or other deadlines, and schedule any necessary follow-up vaccines in advance. It doesn't get easier than this.

Don't wait until you get sick to handle these responsibilities. Save yourself a future headache and take steps to prevent illness from impacting you.

Make Sleep a Priority

It might be a no-brainer, but perhaps you don’t know just how crucial it is. According to the Mayo Clinic, when you fail to get enough sleep, not only are you likelier to get sick but if you do get sick, you won't recover as quickly. Sleep is so vital to your overall wellness. This is when your body heals and recharges itself.

More specifically, you produce antibodies that help you fight infection. Skimp on sleep, and you might also be skimping on these antibodies.

Studying is important, but you can't do much when you're exhausted and sick. Also keep this in mind when you're out having a fun night. It's good to let loose, but not to the extent that it damages your health. Get that beauty rest. Your body really needs it.

Don't Eat Food That's Been Sitting Out

When you're a college student and money is tight, you don't get too picky when it comes to finding your next meal. Students won't hesitate to reach for that leftover pizza or Chinese food that's been sitting out since last night. Sometimes, even cafeteria food will be left out far longer than it should be and still get served to students.

Hold that thought!

When food is left out and unrefrigerated for as little as two hours, it can start to grow bacteria that could lead to a nasty stomach bug. This is especially the case with meat and dairy. While we know you don't have 100% control over all of the food you eat, students can still make an effort to make good nutrition choices. Play it safe: If it isn't fresh, don't eat it.

It's also worth paying extra attention not just to the food, but the way it's served. Are people reaching for it with their hands? Is the serving area messy? Does produce look like it hasn't been rinsed? These are little steps you can take to try to maintain safe and healthy nutrition habits.

College life is a totally new (and exciting!) adventure, and it's important to remember that your body is going through all sorts of changes. It's a new environment, schedule, and stress level. It's also a totally new group of people you're going to be around — and possibly a very large group, at that. That's enough to throw anyone for a loop, making it all the more important to make your health a top priority. You can't control other people's choices, but you can certainly control your own.

You don't have to do it alone. We can help. Ready to take action? Contact us today.

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