One characteristic of being human is that everyone gets sick. Whether flu, strep or the distasteful lingering cold, this is the season in which these illnesses emerge with pestilent vigor.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, the most common types of illnesses in March are the common cold, flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and acute bronchitis. It is important around this time to remain vigilant of what to do during the season of expedited allergies, from remaining professional with instructors to common accessible treatment options.
When one contracts these common seasonal illnesses, common symptoms that emerge, according to John Hopkins Medicine are, “runny nose, fatigue, chills, low-grade fever and dry and mucus-producing coughs.” But how does one get sick on a cellular level?
Joseph Straub, assistant professor of biology and microbiology, explained that bacteria is just one type of pathogen, but many bacteria release toxins into your tissues that cause damage.
“Both the presence of the bacteria and the toxins they release trigger an immune response by your body, and your immune response is why you end up feeling really bad,” Straub said.
One common misconception about getting sick is that people equate bacteria and a virus to the same thing.
“An infection happens when any pathogen invades your body and attacks your cells. A virus is a specific type of pathogen that cannot live on its own (like a bacterium can),” Straub added. “A virus is a tiny infectious particle (rogue genes wrapped in a protein coating) that must enter your cells to make more of itself. This replication process will kill your cells, and the resulting viruses invade more cells, on and on and on. Because of their small size, many viruses are easily airborne.”
The transmission of a particular type of sickness can also differentiate the likelihood of getting a virus. Straub explained that airborne viruses will naturally be quite contagious since they can spread through breathing.
“Viruses are naturally selected for contagiousness. A living host that can produce and spread more virus is more advantageous than a dead host,” Straub described. “You saw this rapid evolution of COVID from being highly dangerous and highly transmissible to now being maximally transmissible and as dangerous as the flu.”
Certain groups of individuals are more at risk for these extreme adverse effects during allergy season. Ryann Duhe, a registered nurse at Manning Family Children’s LCMC Health, commented on this trend. “Groups like little kids, older adults with conditions such as COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease] and populations with asthma can be at a greater risk to have symptoms triggered,” Duhe said.
Duhe offered some advice with regard to these populations at higher risk. “The best way [to avoid exacerbation of symptoms] is to watch the pollen levels in a given area [and] use prescriptions like inhalers,” Duhe added.
Additionally, even populations not at an exacerbated risk of contracting an illness should practice certain ritual habits like handwashing, or, when on the go, using hand sanitizer.
Jeriona Wilson, a junior criminal justice major, mentioned some tips passed down from her grandmother, including the common chicken noodle soup. Though it won’t fix sickness on its own, it’s a staple rooted in science.
When you have a fever, your immune system is signaling “to divert resources toward fighting the pathogen and can even induce a fever to make the body an unfavorable place for bacteria to multiply,” Straub explained.
Sweating, as a byproduct of a fever, can dehydrate you, so soups or hydrating beverages can help to mitigate the severity of the dehydration. In addition, the warmth of chicken noodle soup can expedite the warming of your body, which helps slow the reproduction of bacteria in your body.
Once one gets sick, though, they must take the necessary steps to manage their personal and professional obligations. While the line of professionalism can get blurred in one’s delirium, or one’s acceptance of the fast-paced nature of the world can lead to further sickness, Wilson and Duhe have different approaches for navigating life while sick.
“I don’t ever miss class without sending an email to the professor, no matter if it’s virtual or in person. This allows them to, more often than not, show sympathy and give minor extensions if necessary, and is really just a show of respect to them,” Wilson advised.
Duhe took a different approach, describing what symptoms warrant staying at home, as well as different treatment methods for allergy-related symptoms. “Allergies should be treated at home when they interfere with daily life. A good over-the-counter allergy medicine like Zyrtec can help,” Duhe said.
Duhe also urged students to seek professional help for long-lasting illnesses. “You should see a healthcare provider if symptoms are lasting longer than a couple of weeks or include symptoms like fever and body aches,” she said.
Regardless of the path that one takes to their health and wellness, students should remember that their health is important, and everyone deserves to give themselves the grace and the time to get better.
