By mid-October, freshers’ flu needs no introduction. If you have not had it, everyone you know has.
In fact, a 2023 survey by the National Union of Students found that over two-thirds of first-year students experienced symptoms of freshers’ flu within their first few weeks of university.
But what exactly is freshers’ flu, and why does it affect so many students?
“Flu” here is a bit of a misnomer, as freshers’ flu refers to a range of cold-like illnesses, mostly caused by viruses, that spread quickly during the autumn. Symptoms typically include a runny nose, cough, headache, sore throat, fatigue, and sometimes a mild fever. The duration can range from a few days to over a month, and in severe cases, it can hinder a student’s ability to keep up with academic and social activities.
The illness stems from a mix of respiratory viruses like rhinoviruses (the main cause of the common cold), adenoviruses, and occasionally the actual flu virus.
These viruses spread easily through droplets when people cough, sneeze, or speak.
University life, with its crowded lecture halls, shared accommodation, and social events, provides the perfect setting for rapid transmission.
Many students also bring local strains of viruses from different regions, exposing others to pathogens they have never encountered before, raising the risk of infection.
Additionally, the start of university life can weaken the immune system. Stress from adapting to a new environment, academic workload, and social pressures, combined with poor sleep, an unbalanced diet, and likely excessive drinking, reduces the body’s ability to fight off illness.
Preventing freshers’ flu is challenging.
The high volume of social interaction and shared spaces makes universities ideal for viral transmission.
While hygiene measures like regular handwashing, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals can help reduce the spread, these measures are often not enough.
Many students also neglect key health habits like getting enough sleep, maintaining a nutritious diet, or staying active, all of which can compromise their immune defences.
If you do catch freshers’ flu, the best remedy is self-care.
Rest, staying hydrated, and over-the-counter medicines can help alleviate symptoms.
A healthy diet also supports recovery.
However, it is important to monitor symptoms to rule out more serious illnesses like meningitis, which shares some flu-like symptoms but requires urgent medical attention.
While freshers’ flu is a rite of passage for many students, understanding its causes and taking basic precautions can limit its impact, helping you get through your first term at university with minimal disruption.