Is it the flu, allergies, a cold or COVID-19?

Do you have a sore throat? Runny nose? A cough that just won’t go away? Figuring out if you have the flu, allergies, a cold or COVID-19 can be tricky since the symptoms are so similar. 

The flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses that can be spread through small particles that come from your nose and mouth. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). The flu is caused by the influenza virus but both can give you fever, cough, headaches and body aches. 

Colds are also caused by viruses and can be passed through to others. The difference with a cold is they tend to be mild with a runny nose, cough, congestion and sore throat. Sadly there is no cure for a common cold but some treatments doctors recommend are rest, lots of fluids and common over the counter cold medicines. 

With the weather getting colder, flu and cold viruses tend to survive better making them more transmissible on surfaces. Many SSU students have been getting sick over these last couple of weeks, struggling to get out of bed, make it to classes or even work. 

 Lyndsee Brewer, a freshman liberal studies hutchins major has been sick this past week with extreme brain fog, body aches and an extreme sore throat. Brewer states, “My head felt like it was going to explode from the stress of not being able to go to my classes because I felt so crappy.” Brewer also explained how all of her friends are currently really sick and having to miss classes just like she did. This sickness is not fun and many people are struggling with school. 

A junior communications major, Veda Dean has been talking to her friends about how everyone has suddenly gotten so sick. Just about a week and a half ago Dean was so sick with a sore throat, constant runny nose, a fever and exhaustion she could hardly get out of bed. Dean stated, “Not only did this prevent me from going to my in person classes, but it also made it difficult to attend zoom classes.” Dean continued how she returned back to class this week and asked her classmates what she had missed when she was returned with the same question. Recommendations of getting lots of sleep, going to bed early and drinking lots of water were given by Dean.

Athena Pruett, a sophomore sociology studies major, had similar symptoms like her peers. Pruett said, “Like many, being sick affected me from going to work and attending my classes as I was drowsy and did not have the energy to do anything. Out of the five days I was sick, I also had a fever that was hard to shake off for a couple days.” Pruett thinks that since the last holliday and weather change everyone is getting sick. The majority of Pruett roommates have been sick as well.

Like many have said before, making sure you get a lot of rest, drink a lot of fluids like tea with honey, water or gatorade and take some vitamins is the only way to fully recover and shake off these awful viruses. The health center is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment call (707)-664-2921.