As the fall semester begins here at Florida State University (FSU), so does the annual buzz and chatter surrounding everyone’s No. 1 opp and public enemy, the “Tally Flu.” The name may sound familiar and a bit worrisome to incoming freshmen, but as your friendly neighborhood survivor, I’m here to tell you not to fear. Over the past year, I’ve learned a few tricks to help overcome this notorious plague, so here is a guide to help you beat the Tally Flu if you unfortunately encounter it.
- Stock up on medical supplies
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Trust me, a bottle of Tylenol or Motrin isn’t going to cut it when fighting the villain that is the Tally Flu. When I lived in the dorms last year, my roommate and I designated a shelf in our room just for medical supplies. The shelf not only stored an abnormally large bottle of ibuprofen, but we also had tea bags, cough medicine, cough drops, nasal spray (lifesaver, BTW), tissues, throat medicine (specifically the spray kind), and miniature first-aid kits that we found on Amazon. I’ve found that it’s better to be overprepared, even with supplies that you wouldn’t think to need but which end up coming in handy later. For example, I had a heating pad stored under my bed that I didn’t use until I got sick, and it helped whenever I would get unexpected chills.
- Visit the Health and Wellness Center on campus
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The Health and Wellness Center was my lifesaver, especially when I came down with an unexpected cold or fever and I didn’t know what the cause was. While in this one instance, I didn’t have the Tally Flu, I visited the Health and Wellness Center when I came down with an oddly scratchy throat. After filling out quick paperwork, I saw a nurse who told me I had tonsilitis and immediately prescribed antibiotics to combat it. In my case, I didn’t make an appointment but went as a walk-in. Either way, you will still be seen and given all the information you need. This is especially helpful if you’re a freshman living on campus and have no reliable transportation to urgent care, so I highly recommend it!
- take cold showers
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If you have a high fever, I found that taking a cold shower not only lowered my temperature, but it relaxed my body and stopped my profuse sweating (sorry, TMI). When infected with the Tally Flu, you are constantly feeling gross and slimy. Taking one or two cold showers not only makes you feel physically refreshed but mentally refreshed as well. As someone extremely sensitive to temperature, I like to start with lukewarm water and switch to cold once I’m comfortable. This helps make the initial contact with the cold not as jarring.
- Whatever you do, stay in bed
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This may seem like simple and obvious advice, but this task becomes difficult to follow when you’re trapped inside all day, especially if you live in a tiny dorm room. To pass the time, I found a new TV show to watch or I rewatched a comfort movie of mine. I remember when I was first hit with the Tally Flu, I started to watch a cartoon called Over the Garden Wall (I highly recommend this show, especially during the fall time). If watching a TV show or movie doesn’t interest you, the next best thing would be to sleep. Sleep is an absolute must when tackling this sickness because it allows your body to rest and recuperate. The more you prioritize your rest, the faster you will recover.
- Eat warm foods and drink lots of water
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This piece of advice is ESSENTIAL. Keeping yourself hydrated and well-fed will help you during the recovery process. When I was sick, I always kept a large bottle filled with water next to me because, in my personal experience, I was constantly thirsty and always had cottonmouth. As for food, try sticking to warm, soft foods, such as soup and mashed potatoes (my personal choice).
To all the new Noles, don’t let this plague get the best of you! As a former freshman previously infected by the Tally Flu, this guide is sure to help you conquer this sickness or any cold or fever that comes your way. Remember to stay safe and healthy, and I hope that your first semester at FSU treats you well. Good luck!
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