Is nursing school making me sick?

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Two weeks ago I caught a minor cold. I had swollen glands, a scratchy throat, dry cough and no fever or stuffy nose. The cough caused me some sleepless nights, but 8 days later I was better. But then I got gastroenteritis & was up all night cleansing my intestines. No nausea or vomiting. Lost a night's sleep and after going to the bathroom 5 times it was mostly gone.

But the very next night I got the symptoms of a cold, but not like the one I just had. With this cold I had a slight temperature 99.5 F, sneezing, stuffy nose, swollen glands, but no cough or sore throat.

In the past 14 days, I think I have been sick with 2 different colds & a bout of gastroenteritis. Never in my life have I caught 3 separate illnesses w/n 2 weeks of each other.

I am in perfect health so I'm not worried about my immune system, but I am curious about how I could have caught so many viruses.

Maybe it's bad luck, my bad habit of rubbing my eyes or could it be school. My program is over capacity of students & our classrooms are sometimes pretty crowded. Also, the bathrooms tend to overflowing of towel litter b/c as nursing students, we are avid hand washers. On top of that we are touching each other for bp's, health assessment, etc. God knows how often the scopes are disinfected.

Anybody else who started nursing school getting sick a lot??? I am sick of being sick and desperately need a good night's sleep.

Caroline

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Specializes in Tele, Home Health, MICU, CTICU, LTC.

When I first started working in healthcare I was catching all kinds of stuff. Now I have an immune system that fights off most of it except the respiratory stuff. Being stressed out and exhausted can cause you to be more susceptible to illness. Also there is a nasty virus going around right now, maybe you have that. Take care of yourself, try to eat properly and rest when you can.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Just think back to your Microbiology class- *anytime* you are stressed out (and you are) your immune system is lowered.

I am a big beliver in GSE (grapefruit seed extract) it tastes horrible but it DOES work! Also Oregon Grape Root, garlic, Vit C, and Echinacea and good nutrition (lots of water, fruit and veggies) is about all your can do. Sambucal is good to take as well (both me and my kids take that).

Being sick is the pits :( Hope you feel better soon

Marilyn

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Specializes in Critical Care, ER.

That is soo true! Everyone in my class is either sick or pregnant! Must be the stress and the exposure- Many of us are suffering from BNSAGS (Broke Nursing Students Anticipating Graduation Syndrome) whose main signs and symptoms include skipping classes and writing care plans about 1/2 hour before they're due.

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BNSAGS (Broke Nursing Students Anticipating Graduation Syndrome) whose main signs and symptoms include skipping classes and writing care plans about 1/2 hour before they're due.
LOL Bluesky!!!! I think I have that too, but the cure is in sight!!
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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

My husband and I have a theory: we think the reason neither one of us gets sick is because he works in the sick unit at a prison and by being exposed on a continuous basis and bringing that home, we think that we have some sort of tolerance or "immunity" that helps prevent us from illness. Our kids are rarely sick as well, maybe twice a year? Before I married and moved in with him, I would get sick anytime I changed environments. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get sick near the end of the semester since it seems that's when everything culminates.

Drink LOTS of water....that's another theory we have. Both of us drink approximately a gallon to a gallon and a half a day and our kids drink about 48-64oz a day. I think being well hydrated has lots of benefits, the least of which is keeping your immune system functioning at an optimum level.

And I'm sure you know this: Wash, wash, wash your hands! :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I have a friend with a similar problem whe she graduated from college and started teaching 2nd grade. She swears she's never been so sick in her life than in the first few months of school every year.

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The more i laugh, the healthier i get.

-The good thing about this is that laughter can be just as contagious as those colds going around. So, you can 'spread' health too.

-Laughter is big medicine...

-Lorus :roll

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It sound like a combination of your exposure to more germs and your own health. If you are stressed out, not sleeping enough, not eating right and not exercising, they all can lower your immune system. Make sure you are taking care of your self by giving your body what it needs to fight off those germs. Although I'm not in nursing school yet, I notice when I eat right, exercise and get plenty of sleep it's very hard for me to get sick.

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