Dealing with Being Sick On-Campus

The outside of McWhorter Hall from the main lawn, Braden Simmons

Classes are officially back in session at Belmont University and the students aren’t the only ones returning to campus. 

A fresh set of germs has already begun to infiltrate the classes’ ranks, including strep throat, stomach viruses, Covid-19, and even the common cold. 

The onslaught of sickness can be traced to a few different culprits, said Krystal Huesmann, Belmont’s director of Health Services.  

“Many students discover that they have environmental allergies to ragweed, pollen and other allergens that are very common here in Middle Tennessee,” Huesmann said. “College campuses can also be prone to the transmission of respiratory and other viral illnesses due to the close proximity found in classrooms, offices and residence halls. 

Senior Gracie Wommack was one of the students who was already sick, testing positive for COVID-19 the second week of school. 

“When I tested positive, I’d probably had it for three to four days at that point,” Wommack said. “After I tested positive, I immediately just took a nap for four hours straight.” 

During her illness, Wommack couldn’t sit up by herself. 

Now, Wommack said she believes her illness has had a negative impact on her school performance.  

“I have three tests next week, and I have to fully catch up. Three big tests – not just little pop quizzes –written exams,” Wommack said. 

To avoid being sick and tired in this new semester, the Belmont Health Clinic is offering advice to students. 

“We like to say, ‘sleep, eat, move and stay hydrated.’ These habits, if you can develop them early in your college experience, can really help you to stay healthier,” Huesmann said. 

With COVID-19 having a new variant and cases on the rise in Davidson County, Health Services is spreading awareness to watch out for the following symptoms: 

• Body aches 

• Coughs 

• Chills 

• Fever 

• Fatigue 

• Headaches 

• Loss of smell/taste 

For students experiencing any of this symptoms, it’s important to stay at home, Huesmann said. 

“To ensure you, your friends and your classmates stay as healthy as possible throughout the semester, prevention efforts like washing your hands thoroughly, staying home when you have a fever and covering sneezes or coughs can lower transmission rates throughout the entire campus,” said Huesmann. 

Student enrollment ensures access to the university’s many health services, which range from skin treatments to vaccinations/immunizations, and even offer mental health help. 

These services are mostly free, except for a few tests offered at a discounted rate, Huesmann said.  

Belmont’s Health Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and appointments can be made online through the MyBelmont portal. 

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This article was written by Kaya Fagerstrom