Freshers' Flu
Encyclopedia
Freshers' Flu is the name commonly given to a battery of illnesses contracted by as many as 90% of new students during the first few weeks at a university
, in some form; common symptoms include fever, sore throat, severe headache, coughing and general discomfort
. The illnesses may or may not include actual flu
, and is often simply a bad cold
, but is so named simply due to alliteration. This is mostly a British
term, and is rarely heard outside the UK.
is also reported as a cause for many of the illnesses contracted during this time. "Stress, which may be induced by tiredness, combined with a poor diet, late nights and too much alcohol, can weaken the immune system and be a recipe for ill health. All this can make students and staff working with the students more susceptible to infections within their first weeks of term."
and the attempts at making new friends, can further weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to illness.
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
, in some form; common symptoms include fever, sore throat, severe headache, coughing and general discomfort
. The illnesses may or may not include actual flu
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
, and is often simply a bad cold
Common cold
The common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever...
, but is so named simply due to alliteration. This is mostly a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
term, and is rarely heard outside the UK.
Causes
The most likely cause is the convergence of large numbers of people arriving from all over the world, many of whom carry germs to which they are immune, but others have not had a chance to acquire the necessary immunity. The poor diet and heavy consumption of alcohol during Freshers WeekOrientation week
Student orientation or new student orientation, is a period of time at the beginning of the academic year at a university or other tertiary institution during which a variety of events are held to orient and welcome new students. The name of the period varies by country...
is also reported as a cause for many of the illnesses contracted during this time. "Stress, which may be induced by tiredness, combined with a poor diet, late nights and too much alcohol, can weaken the immune system and be a recipe for ill health. All this can make students and staff working with the students more susceptible to infections within their first weeks of term."
Other effects
As well as the usual viral effects, Freshers' Flu can also have some psychological effects. These effects arise where the stress of leaving home, and other consequences of being independent, not to mention various levels of homesicknessHomesickness
Homesickness is the distress or impairment caused by an actual or anticipated separation from the specific home environment or attachment objects....
and the attempts at making new friends, can further weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to illness.