Frat Flu: Everything You Need to Know
You know how it goes – you’re out all night, barely sleeping, eating nothing but chips and salsa, and chugging back drinks like water. And then, bam! The frat flu hits you like a ton of bricks.
You can catch it from your classmates or in the sacred basements of frat houses, but either way, it’s pretty much inevitable that you’ll come down with it at some point during your college career.
So what is the frat flu, you ask? It’s a sickness that usually hits after a weekend of too little sleep, not enough carbs, and maybe too much partying. While it’s not exactly life-threatening, it can certainly feel like the end of the world when you’re stuck with a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, body aches, and fatigue.
Trust us; it’s not a party. So let’s get into frat flu and everything you need to know.
What Is Frat Flu?
Well, the frat flu isn’t a real medical condition – it’s just a nickname for a bunch of annoying symptoms that all sorts of respiratory viruses or bacteria can cause. Think: the common cold, the flu, pneumonia… you get the idea.
Why is it named after frats? That’s because it tends to show up after frat (and other) parties due to dehydration, tiredness, and exposure to new people (and new germs).
Frat Flu Symptoms
After a weekend of letting loose, our immune systems can get rather vulnerable, making us more susceptible to all sorts of nasty bacteria. As a result, you might experience symptoms like a sore throat, congestion, headache, nausea, coughing, and even loss of smell.
How Long Does Frat Flu Last?
For most healthy folks, the frat flu is a bummer – it’s uncomfortable, but thankfully short-term, and your immune system will eventually fight it off. Symptoms usually appear one to four days after exposure to the virus and stick around for five to seven days.
If you’ve gotten a flu shot, your symptoms might be shorter or less severe. And even when the symptoms go away, you might still feel tired and worn out. So if you’re feeling under the weather, make sure to rest up and take care of yourself.
If you’re still experiencing the symptoms after about a week or you aren’t getting better, it might be a good idea to swing by the doctor’s office or visit a health center for a check-up.
How to Get Rid of Frat Flu
There are plenty of remedies you can try at home to fight off the frat flu. And since it’s not the most serious illness out there, you can use stuff you already have around the house to combat this pesky virus.
So don’t panic – stock up on medications, chicken noodle soup, and your favorite Netflix show, and you’ll be back to feeling like your normal self in no time!
Let’s take a look at these tips in detail:
Hydrate
This should already be a no-brainer when it comes to partying, but it’s even more important when frat flu season rolls around. Make sure to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drink lots of water and avoid going crazy with the caffeine – easier said than done, we know.
And even while you’re getting your party on, remember to keep sipping on water or any other beverage loaded with electrolytes. This will help you avoid those brutal hangovers and keep your body strong enough to fight off all sorts of bacteria and viruses.
Drink hot tea or soup
Nothing is better than a hot, comforting cup of tea or soup. Trust us; it’s the ultimate cure-all to getting back on your feet.
If you’ve been hit with a sore throat, a cup of hot tea with lemon and honey will work wonders to ease your suffering. Remember that lemon and honey have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe your throat.
A light broth can give you that same soothing feeling if you’re more of a soup person. And if it’s got ginger in it? Even better! Ginger is known for its medicinal properties and can help ease nausea and other digestive issues.
So go ahead and make yourself a nice cup of tea or bowl of soup, and let the healing begin.
Rest your body
When you get sick in college, it can feel like the end of the world. Suddenly you’re not in your cozy bedroom at home with your parents there to take care of you – you’re on your own. But don’t panic! Remember that Netflix show you’ve been meaning to start? Yeah, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for!
Your body needs rest, and you should absolutely give it what it needs (and deserves)! So lay back down, plug in your headphones, and immerse yourself in that movie you’ve been looking forward to.
Also, not to sound like your parent, but remember to catch up on any classes you miss!
Take medication
Make sure you’ve got a fully stocked medicine cabinet full of all the best over-the-counter remedies. Keep things like Tylenol, Advil, NyQuil, and Mucinex on hand to help you fight off any feelings of sickness that come your way throughout the year. It’ll be a lifesaver when you’re feeling under the weather.
Remember, you should visit your doctor or healthcare provider if your symptoms don’t reduce in about a week.
How to Avoid Frat Flu
If you’re a party freak, this will be a hard one! However, these are a few basic tips to avoid the frat flu (if you can):
It might be tough, but make sure you don’t skip out on breakfast! And remember to drink lots of water. While it might be tempting, try to limit your alcohol intake. Also, Instead of skipping meals, try to eat at least a small meal or heavy snack throughout the day.
But that’s just diet. Rest is also important to have a healthy system that can help you avoid this flu by fighting it off early. If you’re not getting enough sleep, chances are everything else in your body isn’t at optimal ability, including your immune system.
Conclusion
Being a college student means late nights, questionable eating habits, and non-stop partying and socializing. All of this leads to the frat flu, other colds, and all sorts of sinus infections spreading like wildfire.
So be sure to wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and try to get some rest every once in a while.
