Cold and flu season can wreak havoc on immune systems, especially for students who live in the dorms.
The close proximity, cold weather, and bad eating habits all take a larger toll during the winter.
According to the 2004 National College Health Assessment, 82.3 percent of MSU students reported having contracted colds and the flu.
Students and health experts are in agreement - eating well and exercising are two vital factors in staying healthy. Personal hygiene and fresh air are important.
Washing hands and not sharing personal items, such as dishes and glasses, are key to avoiding sickness, Jon Kermiet, an Olin Health Educator said.
"Most people are used to conditions at home where they just reach into the refrigerator and drink out of the orange juice container," Kermiet said.
Close living quarters put pressure on students to share with roommates and friends, but Kermiet said for the sake of staying healthy, people should set boundaries for communal living.
Another important aspect to avoiding sickness is exercise.
Kermiet said students should brave the cold weather and make time to exercise outside or at university indoor facilities such as the IM-Sports centers where activities such as basketball, floor hockey and swimming are available.
"It's in their best interest to stay active to keep the immune system working at its peak," he said. "Unless it's absolutely bitter cold, there's no reason not to face the cold to exercise."
Family community services sophomore Amanda Kinneer said exercise and healthy eating go hand-in-hand and students should avoid bad eating habits if they want to buoy their immune systems.
Kinneer said students should take advantage of the healthy food options available in dorm cafeterias such as the salad and fruit bars.
Avoiding alcohol and sleep deprivation also are encouraged by Kermiet as means to remain healthy. Alcohol depresses the immune system's ability to respond, causing the likelihood of becoming sick to increase when students drink.
But even if residents take personal health precautions, it can be difficult to remain bacteria-and-virus-free when roommates or floor members contract a sickness, especially when they don't cover their mouths or wash their hands.
"Dorms turn into a little petri dish of germs if you don't leave a window open a little," said Jason Schmidt, an international relations and political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore. "Fresh air is important."
If students do become sick, they are encouraged to use health resources on campus, said Jane Olson, area coordinator for the Department of Residence Life.
Although residence hall mentors are not equipped with training specifically geared toward health, they can direct their residents to campus resources and are encouraged to share health information with students.
Olin Health Center works with mentors to provide health tips to residents.
"Ultimately students are responsible for their own health," Olson said.
