During the past few weeks, sneezes and coughs have been echoing though campus residence halls and classrooms. We're seeing about 60 people a day, most of whom are ill. The recent influx of flu-like illnesses is unusual, according to student health services staff. Barber said she noticed that the increase in the number of students catching respiratory infections occurred after rush. During rush you're meeting a large number of people in an enclosed environment where it's easy to pass germs, and I think the fatigue factor was also a big factor.
Students agree that having weak immune systems during rush contributed to their current illnesses.
I didn't miss any classes, but I slept a lot when I should have been doing my homework. I think it was caused by a lack of sleep because of rush and then the parties the following week and my body being run down and trying to catch up on my work. I slept through one class and missed work once. Sophomore Lauren Knauer sympathized. Students are not the only ones catching the virus.