How many college students get the flu?

Every year, about 1 in 4 college students gets the flu — and one health expert says many arrive on campus not realizing how bad a bout of flu can be.

What percentage of college students get the flu?

Research indicates that flu attack rates among subgroups of college students could get as high as 73%.

How many college students get sick every year?

Seventeen percent of students reported suffering with a chronic illness, and 27% reported an episode of an acute ill- ness over the 14-day period. For the total student population, the average number of sick days was 0.83, and for students reporting an acute illness, the average number of days was 3.04.

What is the most common illness among college students?

College campuses are crawling with germs and viruses. This is because students often live in close quarters, attend more social events and may have many others in their classes. Some of the most common seasonal illnesses to watch out for include the common cold, flu and COVID.

What percent of people get the flu?

Between 5 percent and 20 percent of people in the United States get the flu each year. It can cause mild to severe illness, and in some cases, may lead to hospitalization or death. Symptoms of the flu are similar to those of the common cold, but they last longer and tend to be worse.

Don't let COVID-19 and Flu get you: College student edition

Is flu A or B worse?

In the past, doctors thought that Type A infections were more severe than Type B. But studies have shown that both Types A and B result in similar numbers of hospitalizations and deaths in adults. In children, however, influenza B may cause more severe disease and is associated with higher rates of mortality.

Who gets the flu the most?

The flu is caused by a virus and spread mainly by coughing, sneezing or close contact. Young children and older adults are at highest risk of getting the flu but anyone can get it.

Why do college students get sick so often?

One reason is that students live so close to each other and they all touch the same door handles, sinks and stair rails. Students also tend to share drinks and snacks especially during study sessions.

Is getting sick in college common?

Posted on August 3, 2023. College kids get sick a lot. They are usually not serious ailments. The most common ones include the flu, mono, stomach flu, and acne.

Is it common to get sick in college?

It's not uncommon for college students to become sick much more frequently than the rest of the population, as we live in a cesspool of germs hosted by parties, hookup culture, and the passing around of vapes in every color.

Is the flu common in college?

Every year, the flu spreads across college campuses nationwide. Close living quarters, shared restrooms, and a lot of social activities make a college student more likely to catch the flu.

What are the symptoms of dorm flu?

A college student with the flu will most often have a fever of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher, and a sore throat or a cough. Other symptoms may include: Chills. Diarrhea.

How long does freshman flu last?

Summary. Flu symptoms tend to develop one to two days after exposure to the virus and last for between five to seven days. Day 1 to Day 3 are characterized by the abrupt onset and worsening of symptoms. Day 5 to Day 6 is when most people start to feel notably better.

Who is less likely to get the flu?

The same CID study found that children are most likely to get sick from flu and that people 65 and older are least likely to get sick from flu. Median incidence values (or attack rate) by age group were 9.3% for children 0-17 years, 8.8% for adults 18-64 years, and 3.9% for adults 65 years and older.

What percent of Americans get the flu?

Each year, one in five – an average of 62 million – Americans get the flu. Between 3,000 and 49,000 Americans die (depending on the severity of the season), and 226,000 are hospitalized from the flu each year.

What population is most vulnerable to the flu?

Age. The CDC estimates that about 90 percent of flu-related deaths occur in adults 65 years and older. Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are also at higher risk. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old, are at higher risk of complications from flu illness.

Why do freshmen get sick?

The high rates of sickness are most commonly attributed to the increased frequency of contact among students — think communal bathrooms, large lectures, and use of shared spaces like common rooms and libraries — in contrast to the decreased contact students experience while living at home.

How do I stop getting sick all the time in college?

Make sure you are replenishing and fueling your body with healthy and nutritional foods. Include lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy. Don't forget to also drink enough water to stay hydrated. Being active and moving our bodies can also be helpful for both physical and mental health.

Why do I get sick after every semester?

Research has shown that people who slept an average of less than seven hours a night in the weeks leading up to an exam were almost three times more likely to get sick. Stress can also have a huge effect on our health, lowering the activity of cells that help fight viruses.

How sick is too sick to go to class?

Having a sore throat, cough, or mild congestion doesn't always mean kids can't handle class and other activities. Kids should stay home when they have symptoms like a fever over 100.4°F, diarrhea, vomiting, or trouble breathing. When in doubt, check with the school.

What do college students do when they are sick?

What are the 5 stages of flu?

What months are flu season?

Flu season starts in October, peaks from December to February, and lasts until May in the United States. Anyone can get the flu, but certain age groups, pregnant people, and those with certain illnesses or weak immune systems are likelier than others.

How long is flu a contagious for?

The flu is very contagious. People can spread it from a day before they feel sick until their symptoms are gone. This is about 1 week for adults, but it can be longer for young kids.

What are 2023 flu symptoms?