Your Freshers’ Flu Might Actually Be Covid-19 – Signs To Watch For

Google searches for “freshers’ flu” have soared by 1,100% in the past week – a pattern seen every September for the past 10 years, with 2021 reaching an all-time peak.

But what actually is freshers’ flu? Is it influenza – or something else entirely? Why does it spread like, well, the plague? And can university students actually do anything to prevent it?

We asked Prof Ed Hutchinson, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Virology at the University of Glasgow, as well as Prof John Tregoning, Professor in Vaccine Immunology at Imperial College London, for their thoughts.

It’s highly unlikely to be actual flu (or influenza), suggest the experts.

“The word ‘flu’ can be used specifically to describe the disease caused by the influenza virus, but it can also be used more generally, to describe a wide range of nonspecific illnesses: stomach flu, man flu, etc,” Professor Ed Hutchinson explained.

“Freshers’ flu uses the word ‘flu’ in its general sense. In the northern hemisphere, influenza virus cases are low at this time of the year (they will increase later in the winter, so get an up-to-date flu vaccine when you can).

“So your freshers’ flu is fairly unlikely to be caused by an influenza virus, and is more likely to be one of the many other infections that can make new students feel unwell.”

There are a number of respiratory infections that might be to blame. Professor John Tregoning said SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) is circulating at this time of year.

As of 2 September, Covid-19 cases were up 38% compared to the previous week, according to UKHSA data.

Rhinovirus is another potential culprit, which gives you cold-like symptoms.

Covid-19 symptoms include a fever, cough, loss or changes to your sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, feeling exhausted, body aches, headache, sore throat, a blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, sickness, nausea and/or diarrhoea.

Meanwhile, symptoms of rhinovirus include: cough, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, body aches and fever. (So, pretty similar to Covid then!)

It’s also important to be aware of the signs of meningitis, as teens and young people are more vulnerable – especially when they head to university. Meningitis can be spread through very close or regular contact, as well as via coughing, sneezing or kissing.

The charity Meningitis Now said early symptoms of meningitis can be similar to common illnesses such as flu or even a hangover, so it’s easy to mistake meningitis for something else.

Common signs of meningitis and septicaemia can include: fever with cold hands and feet; vomiting; being drowsy or finding it difficult to wake up; severe muscle pain or headache; pale, blotchy skin or a rash that doesn’t fade; stiff neck; disliking bright lights; seizures; or confusion and irritability.

If you experience any of these, the advice is simple: trust your instincts and get medical help immediately.

Professor Tregoning said people develop freshers’ flu due to a combination of students mixing from different areas of the country, being slightly run down (due to late nights, change of environment, potentially overindulging), and the increase of respiratory infections in general at this time of year.

If you’re spending lots of time getting to know new people in close quarters, like halls of residence, you’re also more likely to pick up a strain of a virus that your immune system hadn’t previously seen at home.

What’s more, being properly away from home for the first time, in a new setting, with lots of new things to learn, can pile on the stress – “and being tired and stressed out will weaken your immune system”, said Prof Hutchinson.

“The good news is that most of the infections that people think of as freshers’ flu are short-lived,” he continued, “and most people recover rapidly as they settle into their new lives as students.

“However, it’s always important to look after yourself properly if you think you are ill, and to take sensible steps to protect yourself from getting infected in the first place (including making sure your vaccinations are up to date).”

Professor Tregoning suggested if you’re keen to avoid fresher’s flu, the advice from the Covid-19 pandemic – i.e., hands, face, space – still applies.

“Meet in open areas, wash your hands after you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth. If you are eligible, get influenza and SARS vaccines,” he added.

And if you do get sick, try not to go to crowded indoor spaces and allow yourself time to recover.