Photo courtesy of Google Images.
“When I’m sick, I try my best to make it to class so I don’t miss anything important. I should be drinking water and resting, but let’s be real—I usually just grab a Stinger and push through like it’s a normal day.” says freshman student-athlete Lilly Loewenberg.
This mindset is not uncommon among SAU students, especially given the challenges of balancing health with academic responsibilities. Nurse Nancy says, “Right now, many of the common illnesses I see on campus are stomach and upper respiratory, which includes symptoms like stomach pain, nausea/vomiting, sore throat, coughs, and congestion. There hasn’t been an increase in cases compared to previous years.”
After talking to some other students, it’s clear that skipping class when you’re sick is a tough decision. No one wants to fall behind, and for athletes, missing class can feel even worse. After all, if you’ve got practice later, you’re already dealing with enough—adding in the guilt of missing class can make it feel even worse.
We all know illnesses are spreading rapidly due to students being in close quarters, socializing closely together, and playing on teams. Plus, with everything students are trying to juggle, staying home when you’re sick doesn’t always feel like an option. But isolating yourself when you’re not feeling well can help stop the spread and keep everyone else from getting sick too.
Nurse Nancy advises, “I would tell you what your parents probably always tell you to do: rest, eat proper foods, drink water, and hydrate. Even wiping down your room with a Clorox wipe weekly, or cleaning your room regularly, can help with the spread of germs. Try not to share food or fluid and stay home or away from others who are sick.”
She also suggests that the particular habits or behaviors that seem to contribute to the spread of these illnesses are “purely speculative” on her part. “The best thing to reduce your risk of exposure to germs is to wash your hands with soap and water as much as you can throughout the day – you can never wash your hands too much.”
Thankfully, students on campus have access to health services that can help when they’re not feeling great. “The nice thing about having a student health area on campus is that a lot of times students use me as a resource before going to the doctor. I can do an initial assessment and make a referral for a student to see a doctor, if it is indicated,” says Nurse Nancy.
If you’re sick and your symptoms are getting worse or not improving, it’s definitely a good idea to reach out to Nurse Nancy, located on the 1st Floor in the Rogalski Center. If you are looking for more information regarding winter sicknesses in general, visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Taking care of yourself is key, especially when illness is going around, so don’t ignore those signs that your body needs a break!
