All those extra coughs, sneezes and runny noses are adding up.
An unusually large number of students with colds have been coming through the UF Student Health Care Center this semester, said Jane Cullen, associate director for nursing at the SHCC.
A healthy person gets about two colds a year lasting from three to seven days. However, students are getting sicker and their symptoms are lasting longer.
Cullen said she wasn't sure what the cause was but she said the usual suspect is enclosed spaces.
"Lecture halls are worse than buses," she said.
Students could be touching contaminated desks and should try to wash their hands, as using sanitizer is not as effective, Cullen said.
Students who have unhealthy eating habits and high stress are more susceptible. Those who don't take their vitamins, get substantial sleep or have good hygiene can have their symptoms last longer.
Valentina Grajales, a UF printmaking senior, was sick for the first three weeks of this semester with a cold "that just would not go away."
"I know six people this semester who have had the same symptoms as me," Grajales said.
