With the end of the semester approaching and holiday travel on the horizon, Director of The Wellness Center Barbara Berthiaume shared her perspective on the winter germs and viruses circulating this time of year.
“At this point, it’s really just been the common cold,” she said. “Lots of sore throats are coming in, viral illnesses, but we haven’t had a diagnosed case of flu yet in our clinic, and we’re not really seeing COVID right now.”
Berthiaume also spoke to the potential for change as we move further into the winter months.
“All of that can change because, again, we’re just getting ready to ramp up,” Berthiaume said.
Students on campus have been noticing similar symptoms. First-year Kwabena Sampong said, “I feel that I have a cold and I’ve had a sore throat for some time now.”
When asked whether he’s noticed his peers getting sick, he added, “Some are, some just have the common cold and feel a bit weaker.”
Emphasizing the importance of prevention and healthy hygiene habits, Berthiaume said, “Washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home if you’re sick– especially if you have a fever– is really helpful.” She also recommends avoiding sharing items that may contain saliva.
Berthiaume noted how this year’s sick season compares to last year.
“Last year, at the return to the spring semester, students came back quite sick, and the flu rates were really high, so I’m anticipating that we’ll probably see some of that again, especially as people are home and they’re traveling in different environments,” Berthiaume said. “I do recommend getting the flu vaccine,” she said, reminding students that while the flu vaccine doesn’t make someone completely immune, it can reduce the severity of symptoms.
She suspects that student sickness rates will follow the same trends she’s seen over the past few years, with cases peaking in December, January and February before tapering off.
“I think at this point the trend is spot on for where it’s been the last few years that I’ve been here, but I am anticipating it might get a little worse before it gets better,” Berthiaume said.
Sophomore Jozuwe Tunguru said he noticed similar patterns in sickness on campus.
“It feels the same as last year, kind of. I feel like it is normal to get sick in the winter, and this year it has been a little less so far, but maybe winter hasn’t really hit just yet,” he said.
If students do get sick, Berthiaume highlighted resources the Wellness Center provides beyond prevention.
“Students can call and book an appointment just like they could with their home provider if they’re not feeling well. We function very much like an urgent care center where we see mainly coughs, colds and injuries. They’ll speak with a nurse to get some guidance and some recommendations for over-the-counter measures that they can take to help them feel better, and if an appointment is warranted, they can go ahead and get scheduled usually the same or next day,” Berthiaume said.
While winter germs are on the rise, Berthiaume reminded students that help is available and that simple preventive measures, like getting the flu vaccine and practicing good hygiene, are effective ways to stay healthy through finals and into the holiday season.
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