<p>My S called today- he felt feverish and congested and he said he had been taking Airborne to try and stave things off. I suggested he find the infirmary and we hung up. I checked on the university website and a few mintes later I called him to tell him that I thought I knew which building he would find it in. He hushed me because he was already there. I guess I want to be there for him and to be needed by him but the truth is he really was handling it by himself. The doctor told him it was viral, not much to do. My sympathies go out to the OP. Stomach viruses are always more dramatic and a sypathetic roommate/friend/RA seems essential in that case.</p>
<p>S1 (now a senior) had a sprained ankle and food poisoning early on in his freshman year. He quickly learned the way to the student health center and has used it many times (including this week) over the years. It is a great resource that many students don't consider using. S1 is actually having physical therapy for an injured knee done there now at a much lower cost than if he were going to a regular physician's office. Urge your kids to find and utilize the campus health center.</p>
<p>The morning after. . . I finally heard (after about 12 hours of pretty horrendous symptoms) that he was feeling better and eating dry cereal. Nothing since then--I pleaded with him to go to bed, not set an alarm, and SLEEP. I did end up calling the campus emergency line (<em>so</em> not like me, really), and immediately said this was not an emergency, but that I just needed someone to look in on my boy. (My sense, too, is that males are not quite as caring/mothering when it comes to a sick roommate or hallmate. And they've only been in class for two weeks--I don't think I'd have been so worried if this had happened later in the year after he's had time to build up a support network.) My DS is in Ohio, and I talked to what sounded like a very sweet, Midwestern mother herself. She sent someone over to him, had him call me (he still did not sound good), and then she called me back. She left me with a "we're here 24 hours" and didn't seem to mind at all my choked-back tears.</p>
<p>I really do want to send a shout-out to the CC community. I just needed a bit of bucking up, suggestions, sympathy, and this was exactly the place to get it. The timing of the episode seemed bad to me--I believe my DS is into the bloom-is-off-the-rose part of the adjustment to college. I've had several life-is-less-than-wonderful texts from him just the last few days, something I was expecting, but to have this happen on top of it made me extra sad. (One of his texts yesterday afternoon was, "I hate college." Well who wouldn't feeling like he did?)</p>
<p>I'll check back in when I've heard from him. I'd still like to know he's eating/getting energy back/approaching something close to normal.</p>
<p>(BTW--is there anything I can tell him besides compulsively wash your hands? He actually takes Emergen-C most days, but maybe there's something else he could be doing in the way of prevention?)</p>
<p>I am glad that you were able to find someone to look in on him! I think that you are right that it does get slightly easier when they have made some close friends, but it is still really tough. </p>
<p>I don't think that there is much else to tell him in terms of prevention, other than try to eat in a healthy way, get the rest you need.... my son doesn't follow those suggestions. I do make my sons get a flu shot. My experience has been somewhat more illness at school than at home.</p>
<p>Carepackage time! Zicam seems to work well for us. Flu shot is also a good idea.</p>
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(BTW--is there anything I can tell him besides compulsively wash your hands?
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<p>Don't eat. Compulsively wash your hands. Don't hang around sick people. That's how to prevent norovirus (aka "stomach flu").</p>
<p>We are big probiotic yogurt (Lifeway, Activa) fans and users.</p>
<p>Good suggestions all. (As a quick update--which I'm sure you all are tired of--I didn't hear boo from him yesterday. Finally sent him a "Are you dead?" text around 5:00 PM. He's on the mend, worked on a paper last night, will head back to class today, but you'd think he could have let his DM know he hadn't relapsed/gotten worse/. . . ?)</p>
<p>I'm sure I won't be the last one with a sick baby boy/girl as we head into cold/flu season. Pre-hugs to all the moms/dads out there who will be suffering along with their kids!! (Maybe I'll retire and make my fortune with a Rent-a-Mommy service for college campuses.)</p>
<p>I love the text message, ingerp! Glad you both survived.</p>
<p>Similar situation. Unfortunately, student health is only open Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM, and also only has doctors 8AM-noon. So Friday at 5:01PM until Monday at 8AM they have to grin and bear it... or go off campus. I hope nothing serious ever happens after hours.</p>
<p>Boy, do I feel your pain!!! My ds severely injured his leg the day we took him to college. He's on crutches on a hilly campus and hurting so badly. This is one of the hardest things either of us have been through lately :-(</p>