Oh my gosh, my baby is at college!!! My teenager who can’t remember to take the garbage out or find their hockey stick is now responsible for taking care of themselves. It’s hard to believe but at least we can try to prepare them for their first winter sick season away from home. I can write for hours but here is the college top 10!!
1. Make sure they get a flu shot. Living in a dormitory setting breeds exposure to sick people. It’s their best defense.
- Wash their hands or use hand sanitizer regularly before eating.
- If they are sick seek out the health center!! All sore throats need a throat culture! There is no scientific basis to “it doesn’t look like strep”. Untreated strep infection can lead to heart complications like Rheumatic fever. You don’t need an elevated temperature to have strep.
- Make sure they know to follow up if they get worse a few days into the illness or develop new symptoms. This can be a sign of secondary infection. Even things that start as viral infections like colds can develop into sinus or chest infections from a secondary bacterial infection.
- Make sure they understand the value of a good night’s sleep. Among other things, our body uses sleep to do its cell repair. Sleep is a valuable tool for their immune system.
- Make sure they know to eat well! Food is fuel for our bodies. The amino acids in food are important building blocks for the proteins needed for healing when we are sick. We need more than just a cup of noodles to stay healthy. Have them add some protein to it, chicken, nuts or a piece of cheese! Encourage them to keep fresh fruit in their dorm room especially when it gets “too cold” or they get TOO LAZY to go to the dining hall!
- Most importantly MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THEIR MEDICAL HISTORY! They need to know what medicine they take. “I use that blue inhaler” is NOT enough medical information for the doctor at the health center. Many companies make blue inhalers.
Colds or viral infections can trigger asthma symptoms even in teens that haven’t had symptoms for years. Make sure all their prescriptions are up to date and they have them.
- Don’t leave wet towels hanging in their rooms! It breeds staph infections!
- Make sure they sign that their health center can release information to their doctor. I have called many health centers to ask what finding little Suzy has after a frantic call from a mom! Often we can provide the health center with guidance
- GET THEM A GOOD CHECK-UP BEFORE THEY LEAVE!!!! It’s more important than just filling out the immunization form for the college. Have them see their doctor and discuss their personal medical history, any medicines they need and suggestions for good nutrition and exercise. COLLEGE HEALTH IS THE REASON WE KEEP OUR PATIENTS UP TO AGE 25!!!!