Everyone is familiar with the college plague. When that first person gets sick, it's just a matter of time. Recently an individual in the hall below mine got a really bad virus which hit hard, causing him to go to the hospital. He was puking for a day and then the virus seemed to disappear. The problem with this virus is that it was extremely contagious. Suddenly people started getting this serious day long sickness and started throwing up all over the place. My roommate was absolutely terrified. My friend who lived with someone who got the virus refused to sleep in her room. Now that the weather is warming up, new viruses may start going around due to the change in weather. Here are some common steps that I see taken to try and avoid getting sick.
1. Wash your hands
I know, we learned this when we were six, but some people still don't get why washing your hands after using the bathroom is a good thing. Sure, you probably don't wipe with your hands, but always washing after using the toilet provides us with a consistent time to wash our hands to ensure it always happens. During the day you're touching objects that are carrying countless amounts of germs, and then you touch your eyes and mouth and just... gross.
2. Try to avoid any nail biting or eat food with your hands unless just washed
Some people have the habit of nail biting. If you are one of these people, just be conscious of what you're touching before you put those nails in your mouth. Same with eating!
3. Invest in a sleeping bag
You never know when you might need to crash on someone else's floor in order to avoid the sickness.
4. Maybe invest in a sleeping pad?
Sleeping bags aren't that comfortable on the tile floor of dorm rooms...
5. Camp out in a healthy friends room
Perfect example from personal experience.
6. Lysol solid surfaces that many individuals touch
Maybe not the best example above, but you get what I'm saying. Better safe than sorry.
7. Carry around wet-naps
If you're really absolutely terrified about the germs everywhere, use a wet wipe to open doors and wipe countertops.
8. Tell your sick friends to stay at least five feet away from you or just stay in bed
I make it a point to not get super close to any friends who are sick.
9. Exercise
Some swear by exercising and say its the reason they never get sick. Exercise is proven to improve your overall health and boost your immune system, so it's worth a shot!
10. Vitamin C drops
Got some of these for valentines day from my roommate and ate them like candy. They taste great and maybe they even work too!