With five weeks down this semester at AU, most students are finally getting hit with major assignments such as papers and tests. At the same time, most students are also getting hit with what most refer to as "the plague." This dreadful illness gets passed around AU every single year during the first several weeks. Last Thursday, I started to feel it a bit, the onset of what would become strep throat. Come Friday, I went from feeling it to not being able to swallow. That same day, I went over to a doctor's office in DC and tested positive for strep. To make matters worse, I was also starting to feel the onset of a sinus infection. Regardless of whether you get hit with one of these or something else, this is what "the plague," entails. There's no avoiding it, but there are ways of making yourself more comfortable while you recover.
1. Rest
The best you can do for yourself at this point is to rest. Yes, this does mean that you miss class. However, that does not mean you should not do your course work. Anyway, you should take this opportunity to sleep more. This may also be an opportunity to catch up on some of your favorite shows on Netflix.
2. Advil
Besides resting, taking some sort of pain reliever will definitely ease your pain. I recommend Advil because it is not only a pain reliever, it is an anti-inflammatory. Basically, this prevents swelling, cramping, pounding headaches, etc. Also, there are other medications that are exactly the same as Advil, Motrin and Ibuprofen; they're all the same! Ibuprofen, the scientific term, is the pain relieving ingredient that you are looking for.
3. Visit a Doctor
Do not visit the Student Health Center. Last year, a student on my floor had mono and the health center failed to diagnose it, twice. Anyway, you may have heard your own horror stories or even walked in and waited. Have no fear, though, I have good news for you. I discovered this doctor's office last year when I was hit with "the plague," and still go there. The group is called Comprehensive Primary Care. They have multiple offices in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area; the best one for AU students is their Woodley Park Office which is across the street from where you would step off the escalator a the Woodley Park Metro Station. At their Woodley Park office, they have multiple medical professionals who you can see, the same day you call. This office also has extended office hours into the evening and is open on weekends. On top of that, I am sure that there are many other doctors in the area that may be just as useful.
4. Prescription Medications
The last and possibly most important thing you can do is to take your prescribed medication as directed by your doctor. If you were not paying attention in high school biology, you may not be aware that missing or taking a dose late may give your bacteria the opportunity to mutate and cause your suffering to worsen. By taking your medication at the correct time, you will prevent this from happening and get yourself to recovery so much faster.
If you catch yourself coming down with something, please get to a doctor's office before you are so sick that you leave yourself with the health center as your only option. Stay healthy AU!
