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Cold and Flu Triage for Students: When to Rest, When to Call, and When to Go

  • BeWellAdmin
  • 6 days ago
  • 5 min read

Image credit: Envato.com


The winter semester is essentially a group project with viruses. Crowded lecture halls, packed buses, shared kitchens, accumulated stress, and sleep debt—respiratory infections thrive in this environment. If you haven't been sick yet this semester, your immune system deserves applause. If you have, you're in excellent company.

The challenge isn't just getting sick; it's figuring out what to do about it. Should you tough it out? Go to class? Call a clinic? Head to urgent care? This article builds on BeWell's Frosh Flu guide with a practical triage approach for winter illness spikes.


First Principle: Most Respiratory Illnesses Resolve with Home Care


Primary health care providers emphasize that colds, influenza, and most other viral respiratory infections don't require antibiotics and typically resolve with supportive self-care. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viruses—using them unnecessarily contributes to antibiotic resistance and won't help you recover faster.

This doesn't mean you should ignore symptoms or avoid seeking help when needed. It means the default response to typical cold and flu symptoms should be rest, hydration, and symptom management at home—not immediately rushing to a clinic for medication that won't work.


The Student Triage Framework

Think of respiratory illness management in three lanes: Home Care, Clinic/Telehealth, and Urgent/Emergency. Your symptoms determine which lane you're in.


Lane 1: Home Care Is Usually Right If...


You're likely fine managing at home if your symptoms are mild to moderate, you do not have shortness of breath, you can keep fluids down without difficulty, and you're seeing gradual improvement day by day—or at least not getting significantly worse.


Home care essentials:

Rest is genuinely therapeutic—your immune system works better when you're not depleting energy elsewhere. Hydration helps thin mucus and supports overall function (water, broth, herbal tea, whatever appeals). Simple nutrition when you have appetite provides fuel for recovery. Over-the-counter symptom relief—pain relievers for aches, decongestants for stuffiness, cough medicine if helpful—can make rest more comfortable. Follow package instructions and be cautious about combining multiple medications. If you are unsure, talk to a pharmacist about over-the-counter medications.


Most colds peak around days 3 to 4 and gradually improve over 7 to 10 days. Influenza can be more intense with higher fever and body aches, often lasting a week or longer. Recovery isn't linear—you might feel better, then worse, then better again. That's normal unless you're seeing sustained worsening.


Lane 2: Call a Clinic or Seek Medical Advice If...

You don't need an ambulance, but you should get guidance if: fever persists beyond several days or returns after you seemed to be improving; symptoms last approximately 10 days without meaningful improvement; you have underlying conditions that increase complication risk (asthma, diabetes, immune compromise, heart conditions); you're experiencing severe sore throat, significant ear pain, intense sinus pressure, or signs of dehydration; or you're unsure whether your symptoms are concerning.


Campus health services, telehealth appointments, and provincial health lines (like Health Connect Ontario) can help you assess whether symptoms need in-person evaluation or can continue being managed at home. Don't hesitate to call—that's what these services exist for.


Lane 3: Urgent/Emergency—Go Now If...


Primary health providers outline specific emergency warning signs that warrant immediate medical attention. These include: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath beyond what's typical for congestion; persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; confusion, difficulty staying awake, or inability to arouse; severe or persistent vomiting; and symptoms that improve then return worse—particularly with worsening fever and cough (which can indicate secondary infection).


If you observe these signs in yourself or someone you're caring for, don't wait to see if things improve. Seek urgent medical care immediately—call 911, go to an emergency room depending on severity and circumstances.


But How Do I Know What I Have?


Honestly? You often can't tell definitively without testing—and even then, it doesn't always change management. Cold symptoms, flu symptoms, COVID-19 symptoms, and various other respiratory infections overlap considerably. The sneezing, runny nose, sore throat constellation could be any of several viruses.


Rather than trying to diagnose yourself, focus on four practical questions: Are there any red flag symptoms (from Lane 3)? Is the trajectory improving, stable, or worsening? Do you have risk factors that increase concern? Can you function enough to meet basic needs like hydrating and resting?


The answers to these questions matter more than the specific viral label for most students. If symptoms are severe regardless of cause, seek care. If symptoms are manageable and improving, continue supportive care.


Preventing the Tutorial Group Outbreak


When you're sick, you have some control over whether you share your illness with everyone around you. Basic infection control isn't complicated: Stay home when you're actively unwell—attending class while contagious helps no one. If you must go out, wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid sharing drinks, vapes, utensils, and other items that transfer saliva. Ventilate your room when possible—opening windows even briefly can help reduce viral concentration in indoor air.


Public Health Ontario emphasizes that respiratory viruses spread primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols. Masks, hand hygiene, and staying home when symptomatic remain the most effective personal prevention strategies.


Sick During Midterms: The Martyrdom Trap


There's a particular brand of student suffering that involves dragging yourself to an exam while barely functioning, treating illness like a personal weakness to overcome. This approach usually backfires. You perform worse than you would healthy, you prolong your recovery, and you potentially infect your entire exam room.


If you're genuinely ill during a significant academic commitment, explore your options for academic consideration. Universities have processes for exactly this situation. Pushing through can cost more than it saves—both in academic performance and in weeks of extended illness.


Caring for Sick Housemates

Living in shared housing means you'll likely encounter sick housemates at some point. Basic supportive care includes ensuring they have access to fluids and simple foods, checking in periodically without hovering, and helping them rest undisturbed. If someone lives alone or seems particularly unwell, friend check-ins become especially important.


Watch for the emergency warning signs mentioned earlier. If a housemate can't keep fluids down, seems confused, has difficulty breathing, or isn't improving after many days, encourage them to seek medical advice—and help facilitate that if needed.


Building Illness Resilience for the Semester


While you can't completely prevent respiratory infections, you can support your immune system's baseline function. Getting good quality sleep is foundational—chronic sleep deprivation impairs immune response. Reasonable nutritionprovides the building blocks your immune system needs. Regular physical activity supports immune function (though overtraining can suppress it). Managing stress through sustainable routines helps prevent the immune suppression that accompanies chronic overwhelm.


Vaccination remains one of the most effective prevention tools. Annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at local pharmacies and through Student Wellness Services (SWS). It is recommended that and recommended. If you haven't been vaccinated this respiratory season, which lasts from November to April, book your appointment now at SWS.


The Bottom Line

Getting sick during winter semester is common, not a personal failure. Most respiratory illnesses resolve with rest, fluids, and patience. Know the warning signs that warrant medical attention. Don't martyr yourself through exams—use academic consideration when genuinely needed. And wash your hands—it really does help.


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