By Emily R. Condon

Coughing and sneezing has been a common occurrence all around the University of Maryland’s campus in recent weeks. As COVID-19 numbers rise on campus, many freshmen are having difficulty distinguishing between COVID-19 and what many call the “freshmen flu.”

The ‘freshman flu’ often feels like an ordinary cold, said Yonas Tewachew, a freshman living in Denton Hall. Tewachew said he woke up with a stuffy nose, and a few days later his throat was sore and he began getting headaches, sneezing and coughing.

‘Freshman flu’ is a term used on UMD’s campus to describe respiratory related illnesses — such as cold or allergies — that freshmen may experience when moving into dorms. The University Health Center issued a statement to Stories Beneath the Shell advising against the use of this term.

“The ‘freshman flu’ is not a term we would use and we do not want it confused with influenza or the real ‘flu,’ which is caused by the influenza virus,” the UHC said. “Influenza is a viral infection that infects your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs.”

The UHC said that while the flu typically resolves on its own, this year, it is especially important for students to get flu shots, watch out for symptoms of the flu and seek medical care if a student feels sick. 

“Scientists don’t yet know how a co-infection with COVID-19 and influenza might adversely impact one’s health, and it would be best to be as prudent and prepared as possible,” said the UHC.

The UHC said that it is not uncommon for students returning to campus, especially those living in communal housing, to get sick. They advised students to be proactive against the spread of germs to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.

A poll administered to 231 random freshmen (see infographic “COVID-19 or Freshman Flu?”) found that 83.5% of respondents were familiar with the term ‘freshman flu,’ while 7.8% had heard of it, but did not understand what it meant — validating the UHC’s concerns about confusion linked to the term. 

62.8% of students polled said they experienced difficulty distinguishing between COVID-19 or ‘freshmen flu’ symptoms, and 80.5% of respondents knew someone who showed COVID-19 symptoms but tested negative.

Some freshmen said that they are confused about what is a normal “freshman flu” when adjusting to dorm life and what may actually be COVID-19.

“I have seen and heard of so many students in my dorm falling ill, and many are getting tested for COVID but having negative results,” said Hannah Kennedy, a freshman journalism major in Easton Hall. 

Alexa Tober, a freshman in Elkton Hall, said that since two people on her floor tested positive for COVID-19, she and the other residents on her floor have been playing it safe. 

“A lot of us just immediately assume it could be COVID and get tested to be safe, so most of us don’t really try to figure out the difference,” said Tober. “ I feel like sickness is spreading so much easier than it used to since so many of us aren’t used to contact with germs since we’re used to wearing masks that protect us from germs. It just makes it a lot worse.” 

Featured image: Denton hall, pictured, is a dorm largely occupied by freshman UMD students. Communal living has been linked to the spread of respiratory illnesses that many mistake for COVID-19. Photo by Sarah Natchipolsky.