Winters in Madison are cold, cold, cold, and it is only the fortunate few who make it to spring without experiencing a cold of their own. Suffering from the cold or flu away from home is a new experience for most students, and balancing schoolwork while nursing an illness can be difficult.
\I'm a little intimidated,"" UW-Madison sophomore Carrie Richgels said. ""I don't know what I should do or where I should go when I'm sick at college.""
""Get a flu shot,"" University Health Services pharmacist Jason Walker-Crawford said. ""I can't repeat it enough.""
Students living in close quarters in dorms and apartments can very easily pick up an infection, explained Walker-Crawford. Flu shots provide an easy and free means of warding off the worst of the flu virus.
Approximately 5,000 students have received flu shots from UW-Madison clinics this year alone. Walker-Crawford estimates an additional 1,000 to 3,000 will receive one by the time flu season peaks in January or February.
While the flu shot lowers the risk of infection, it still does not guarantee complete escape from illness. When this happens, it is best just to treat the symptoms, Walker-Crawford said.
""Over-the-counter medicines like Dayquil will help treat cold symptoms,"" Walker-Crawford said.
Analgesic medicines, like aspirin and ibuprofen, can ease aches and pains. In extreme cases of the flu, amantadine may be prescribed to reduce high fever and chills.
Walker-Crawford also recommends taking a zinc supplement, either in the form of a tablet, lozenge or nasal spray. Taking a zinc supplement decreases the ability of the virus to replicate while also lowering stress hormones in the body.
""I personally prefer the tablet. It's cheap, easiest to tolerate, and the most effective available,"" Walker-Crawford said.
Richard Kilmer, a pharmacist at Community Pharmacy, 341 State St., said he agrees with the effectiveness of zinc. However, he also recommends other natural alternatives.
""Black elderberry is very helpful at the first signs of an upper respiratory infection,"" Kilmer said.
Many students often do not understand the difference between a cold, influenza and seasonal allergies, Kilmer said.
Though all feature coughs, aches, pains and a stuffy nose, the flu is more common in the winter and can last almost twice as long as the common cold. Overall treatment invariably depends on the actual illness.
""A lot of the treatment depends on the symptoms,"" Kilmer said.
Western medicine typically focuses on the symptoms--such as an uncomfortable cough--but many herbal and homeopathic remedies seek to improve immune system function.
Vitamin C, especially from fruit juices, helps strengthen the immune system, but it is not very effective after actual infection begins, according to Walker-Crawford.
Echinacea can be taken at the first sign of sickness, either cold or flu. It boosts the immune system and helps keep the virus from multiplying. Kilmer recommends taking echinacea throughout the cold and flu season.
""I tried echinacea last year,"" Richgels said, ""but it didn't really work.""
However, Richgels does recommend Zicam, a homeopathic nasal spray, which decreased the severity of her symptoms.
""I use it every time I get sick, and it really helps.""
Kilmer suggests a variety of treatments--homeopathic, herbal, antiviral and antibiotic medications.
""I like to try a little bit of everything,"" Kilmer said.
Homeopathic and herbal remedies can both strengthen the immune system and lessen the severity of symptoms, while antibiotics may be used to treat secondary infections and antiviral medicines may be used in cases of severe influenza.
Kilmer also stresses the importance of overall health. Stress, little sleep and an unhealthy diet can wreck the immune system, leaving it more susceptible to infection.
""Every year, I see students at the end of finals just start falling,"" Kilmer said.
