Freshers’ Flu, What Actually Is It? Causes, Symptoms, And Cures

It’s that time of the year again. Students are heading back to university, and with that comes dreaded fresher’s flu. Unlike other strains of the flu, freshers’ flu is a common phenomenon during your university years. Do you know whether your flu-like symptoms are related to that?

If this is your first time attending university, you have a lot to look forward to. As well as making new friends, you’ll gain knowledge that will prepare you to succeed in your chosen career and give you the opportunity to create memories you will cherish forever.

If you have never had a bad cold before, you should know what freshers’ flu is before it happens to you. This illness is not the real flu but a dreadful cold that can make you feel rubbish for a week or more. While it is not severe, the symptoms can ruin your first few weeks at university.

So, how can you avoid the illness? Read on to find out how to avoid unpleasantness. This guide is for those determined to prevent it or seek a cure if they are already infected. Here’s everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, and cures.

What Is Fresher’s Flu?

It is a term used in British English to describe a series of infections that new students contract at colleges of further education or universities during their first few weeks.

Freshers’ flu is a type of virus that is caused by mingling. This period involves meeting new people and confined spaces, and some people carry viruses. Because of this, they may pass them on to you. In addition to this, the symptoms of freshers’ flu can include coughing, sore throat, and general malaise.

Thankfully, there are many ways to treat freshers’ fever, including rest, chicken soup, and hot drinks.

What Causes Fresher’s Flu?

Not wanting to sound dramatic, but it is essential to clarify that freshers’ flu isn’t actually a virus. However, the fact that it may make you feel miserable for a week or two does not change the fact that it can be pretty unpleasant.

Science suggests that awful illness is a combination of psychological and physical factors that affect your immune system.

The freshers’ flu is not just spread by kissing a lot of new people during fresher’s week even though you are probably more likely to become ill if you do that. The cause of freshers’ flu can vary, but some factors include:

Stress: Finding yourself in a new environment after moving to a new place can be stressful. You shouldn’t ignore how you feel, no matter if you are worried about making friends or you are homesick. Ignoring your feelings will only worsen your condition.

Freshers’ weeks are prone to all of these causes, as you might have noticed. It’s up to you to protect yourself to the best of your ability unless you intend to remain in your room for future days.

Nevertheless, knowing these causes, if possible, avoiding them is a good start.

Alcohol: During the first week of the academic year, alcohol tends to be consumed with little regard for its quality and quantity. Freshers’ favourites include large two-liter bottles of cider, which are inexpensive. Having alcohol in excess will reduce the body’s ability to fight viruses.

Additionally, it can lead to horrible hangovers, which can negatively impact a person’s mood. Therefore, recognising when to stop is not a bad idea.

Terrible Foods: There’s no denying that eating a lot of junk food and takeaways will make you feel awful, whether due to an accumulation of hangovers or because you cannot bother to cook. Feed your body with some decent foods that will nourish it, and it will be able to protect itself.

Don’t let your body starve! Instead, eat food that will nourish it, and your body will get to work defending itself.

Lack of Sleep: Surely, the events taking place are simply too crucial for you to miss. Therefore, you might find yourself developing habits that will stop you from having enough sleep. Even though we are not your parents, we are telling you that you are sacrificing both ends of the candle.

You won’t be doing your immune system any good if you party every night and attend lectures the next day. You won’t hurt yourself by taking a night or two off.

Mingling: There are likely to be a lot of new people you will meet, regardless of where you go, whether it is a bar, a class at university, sharing taxis to sweaty dancefloors in clubs, as well as swapping drinks and stories, or other enclosed environments.

The new people you will be meeting may be carrying viruses you’re not immune to, especially since you will meet people from around the globe and all over the country.

Furthermore, It is now known that even organisms with no apparent symptoms can be contaminated with fungi, viruses, and bacteria.

Additionally, you should make sure to follow social distancing guidelines when it comes to preventing the spread of coronavirus. Finally, always carry antibacterial hand gel with you at all times.

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Why The Confusion Between Freshers’ Flu And Meningitis?

The confusion between Freshers’ flu and meningitis is not as widespread as possible. Both illnesses are common, but the symptoms are different, and sometimes the two are the same. For example, Jemma Pressman, a 19-year-old student, got ill and mistakenly thought she had the so-called freshers’ flu.

This is a dangerous misconception, as meningitis is a severe illness and can even be deadly for healthy young adults if not appropriately diagnosed.

While both illnesses are different, they can lead to similar symptoms such as fever, running noses, headache, and meningococcal bacteria are spread through coughing, sneezing, and kissing. In addition, university students are more likely to become infected due to the many social interactions and living conditions.

In addition, the freshers’ week is a stressful time, and you can’t afford to get sick. You’ll be in the worst shape possible, so make sure you take care of yourself to get through the week without any complications.

If you are not sure, it is vital to seek medical attention to determine if you suffer from either.

What Are The Symptoms Of Freshers’ Flu?

Is it possible to tell if you have the freshers’ flu if you don’t see your doctor? In other words, how does freshers’ flu manifest itself? Following are the top freshers’ flu symptoms, just in case you’re unsure:

• Fever: It is likely that you are suffering from the flu virus if you have a high temperature. The common cold may occasionally cause a fever, but it will be less severe than a fever resulting from a serious illness. You need a reliable thermometer to determine if you’re running a temperature.

• Sneezing: Common colds are more likely to cause this problem than flu. If nothing else, people will be happy that you left. 

• Headache: You may experience a terrible headache when you have the flu. Colds do not commonly accompany flu headaches.

• Shivering: Do you find yourself clinging to your blanket, knitted garments, and heating because you are cold?  

• Grogginess:

• Tiredness and Weakness: A typical symptom of both flu and a nasty cold is tiredness.

• Dry Cough and Sore Throat: A persistent cough and sore throat are also common freshers’ flu symptoms. Even so, they are considerably less annoying when one has a common cold. It’s an excellent put-off, especially if it is new and permanent. Consider self-isolate if so.

It can be noticed that most of these symptoms are related to the common cold and flu. Even though freshers’ flu can significantly impact your first few weeks at university, luckily, the symptoms are usually short-lived and can be cured.

How Can You Cure Freshers’ Flu?

Freshers’ flu is more of a bad cold than the actual flu, but it can still make you feel awful for a week or so. This illness is a combination of psychological and physical factors.

If you’re looking for a quick cure, you may want to consider the following tips:

1. Eat Balanced Foods

It’s also best to eat plenty of healthy foods and plenty of vitamins. Eating fruit and vegetables, which are loaded with nutrients, can also help the body fight off viruses and cure the freshers’ bugs.

Aside from water, vitamin C and A can also help with the symptoms of the flu. This is because they play an outstanding role in the way your body functions and can fight off bugs. Moreover, eating fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to boost your immune system. If you are unsure what to eat, check out the Ultimate health Food Guide.

2. Stop Smoking

Many health experts believe that smoking is bad for your immune system and that stopping could improve your immunity. If you’re suffering from the flu or a cold, you should avoid smoking. This habit will only prolong your symptoms. It does not help your sore throat either. So, avoiding these habits can help you stay healthy.

While it is not always easy to give up a habit, quitting smoking can help your immune system function better. If you want to live a long and healthy life, quitting smoking is essential.

3. Drink a Lot Of Water

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water – it helps flush out the toxins and make the symptoms less annoying. Not only does water help the body rid itself of the flu, but drinking lots of fluids will keep the body hydrated and can prevent the onset of the virus and keep your immune system functioning at the optimum level.

4. Mental Health care

The first few weeks of higher education for new students can be stressful. Therefore, it is significant to take care of oneself and get the best of life. Regular practice of mindfulness will help you relax and keep your mind healthy. Check these tips on how to look after your mental health practice.

5. Take Paracetamol

Although it’s not a cure, a few paracetamol tablets will help ease some of the symptoms. However, it can dehydrate you and make you more to other illnesses.

6. Have Adequate Sleep

The first and most crucial thing you can do to prevent freshers’ flu is to get plenty of rest. Taking a night or two off from social events will amaze you and put a stop to passing on your illness to others.

This will help you avoid excessive drinking and sneezing, which can make you feel groggy and miserable.

7. Sanitise And Enhance Hygiene

One of the best ways to cure freshers’ flu is to practice good hand hygiene. Even though it might be seen as a preventive measure, it is still effective. Being surrounded by people simply means exposition to germs. So ensure to keep your hands clean all the time by always taking some anti-viral or antibacterial hand gel with you.

It is recommended to avoid shaking hands with anyone who has a fever. Furthermore, it would be best always to wash your hands, as this will help you prevent the spread of viruses.

8. Steam

Although it appears strange, this method is highly effective for maintaining healthy airways and preventing respiratory system infection.

In order to avoid sore throats and keep their respiratory tracts healthy, actors and singers steam constantly.

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Alternative Ways To Treat Freshers’ Flu And Prevention

Natural remedies have been used for thousands of years to ward off different illnesses. Many of these medicines are derived from natural plant parts, like ginger, lemon, and honey. Some of these treatments have also been touted as effective cold cures.

However, a study at the University of Oxford proved that honey could be as effective as a drug for respiratory tract infections.

In addition to conventional medicine, you can also use alternative ways to treat freshers’ flu. Following are some great options:

1. Have Some Chocolate Puddings

Chocolate puddings are the perfect way to fight off freshers’ flu. Simply microwave them for 40 seconds and eat them straight from the pot. They are also great as a quick cure for the flu.

2. Eat Some Cocoa

A few spoonfuls of cocoa powder can be good for you and help fight the freshers’ disease symptoms. But if you don’t want to spend money, try making your chocolate puddings. They’re delicious, too.

3. Chicken Soup

This is a traditional remedy from granny’s time. It is worthwhile to give it a try, and it can warm your heart. Since it tastes great, we like it; no loser here.

4. Do Yoga Or Meditate

You can also try meditating for 10 minutes every day. Meditation is known to reduce stress, which can cause freshers’ flu symptoms to flare up. Therefore, try to avoid stress as much as possible. It is been proven that constant meditation can help with freshers’ flu and improve your mental health.

5. Take Regular Warm Shower With Essential Oils 

A warm shower helps the body recover faster and clears up the sinuses, but what if you already have the flu? It’s best to add essential oils to a bath, as they have anti-viral properties that will ease congestion and improve your breath.

You can also use them to massage your chest or neck. In addition, some essential oils, such as peppermint, can help open your nasal passages and make breathing easier. Just remember that these essential oils are not for internal consumption.

6. Drink Hot Drinks

It will help loosen your husky voice and any nasty particles clogging your throat while providing you with some comfort. But, of course, it’s impossible to go wrong with ginger, lemon, and honey in hot water!

7. Eat Some Garlic

In addition to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, garlic is also an antioxidant. Alternative cold medicines like this are the superheroes of their class, also keeping troublesome illnesses away.

8. Exercise

It can be considered a prevention option. Consider joining a gym or a local park. It can be a social activity as well. It is essential to stay hydrated and stay active throughout the day to avoid catching the disease. Regular exercising can help to flush the body of toxins.

While these aren’t the only alternative ways to treat freshers’ flu, they’re still an important part of preventing the illness and preventing it from developing. In addition, this will help you avoid complications.

Freshers’ Flu, Causes, Symptoms, And Cures – Final Words

You don’t need to worry if you feel like you have Fresher’s Flu. According to what has already been said, it’s probably just an ordinary cold aggravated by partying and unhealthy living.

As such, you should rationalise it is the natural outcome of being in the right place when you’re supposed to be.

It won’t do you any good to worry about whether it is Covid. Feeling guilty will not make your situation better. Instead, find out how to self-isolate in shared accommodation.

Throughout your first year at university, you merit to have as much fun as possible. Following the advice provided in this article should help you avoid freshers’ flu and make it through the semester or year undamaged. 

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Suppose you’re suffering from any of the above symptoms or unsure about the signs. In that case, you should see a local pharmacist or take advice from your GP or a doctor as soon as possible to have a proper medical diagnosis.

Moreover, the NHS website is a good resource and includes detailed information about the condition.

Please Be Aware: Statements in this article is certainly not meant to address, cure, treat or even identify any disease or either been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Instead, it is only for informational reasons that it is composed.

Please, you should see your doctor or a certified medical practitioner for those who have any health problem in any respect before taking any supplement you find here or elsewhere.

Fitweightlogy’s content writers’ team constantly contributes to writing high-quality content linked with all the best products associated with weight loss, healthy lifestyle, fitness, tips, and motivation. Furthermore, provide tips on beauty and nutrition.

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