How To Fight The “Frat Flu”

Because I fear it’s a canon event for all of us…

BY Jocelyn Melleby ★ October 8th, 2025

Design by: Zach Leone

Disclosure: The information provided in this article is based on personal experience and general wellness tips. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always read ingredient labels carefully and consult a healthcare professional or pharmacist before taking any new medication, supplement, or vitamin – especially if you have existing medical conditions or are taking other prescriptions.

Have a cough that just won’t go away? A runny nose that won’t stop dripping? Body aches that keep you stuck in bed? 

And have you also been partying every single night? 

If the answer to all of these is “yes,” it sounds like you have caught the infamous “frat flu.” But don’t worry, girl – in this article, I’ll be sharing my go-to vitamins and medicines, dorm-friendly foods and beverages, and campus resources to help you fight it. 

Medicines:

One of the best ways to fight an illness is ALWAYS to take medicine. Even if you have a “slight cough” and are feeling better, it’s best to take something so it doesn’t linger for weeks.  Here are some of my recommendations for medicines that work the best:

Emergen-C: A great source of Vitamin C to strengthen your immune system. Taking it at the first sign of illness may help prevent symptoms from getting worse. 

Alka-Seltzer Tablets: Fizzy tablets that you pop into hot water with many different flavors. These tablets have a fever-reducer, a cough suppressant, and a nasal decongestant. I’m telling you, these are my holy grail. Take a daytime one when you wake up and a nighttime one when you go to sleep, BOOM, you will feel so much better. 

**Sidenote: please do not eat these, you must put them in a liquid to activate, and I promise the hot water makes your throat feel soooo much better, it tastes like tea. 

Mucinex: You can take them in pill or liquid form, and they work as a decongestant that thins out mucus. Take this if you're sounding a little croaky or have to blow your nose A LOT, it’s going to help you breathe and talk normally in no time. 

Vitamins 

A great proactive way to avoid frat flu is by implementing vitamins into your routine. Vitamins are one of the most vital parts to fighting illness and preventing you from getting sick. While it can be annoying, taking vitamins every day can help strengthen your immune system and reduce the frequency of illnesses. 

Here are some recommendations:

Vitamin C: AMAZING for your immune system, I take this every single day and I’ve noticed I get sick less now. My personal favorite brand is Nature Made which you can get on Amazon. Take the chewable tablets or pills, both work really well! 

Vitamin D: Another vitamin that is great for your immune system is Vitamin D. It focuses more on strengthening your body,so you don’t feel weak. Again, I recommend the Nature Made brand and I personally prefer the liquid gel pills. 

Dorm-Friendly Foods & Beverages

While taking vitamins and medicine is great for your health, the taste isn’t always pleasant. Sometimes what we really want when we’re sick is something more soothing –comforting foods and drinks. 

Here is what I recommend:

Feel Better Flu Pack: Included in your meal plan, you can request a little orange bag full of goodies through the form on the Campus Dining website. The pack contains brown rice, blue Powerade, Canada Dry ginger ale, Mott’s apple sauce, Maruchan chicken ramen, Progresso soup, oyster crackers, and a bunch of bananas. Who doesn’t love a free care package?

Trader Joe’s Miso Ramen Soup: SOOOO good if you want something that relieves your throat and makes you feel super cozy. I love it because it is a great way to get more liquids in if you are super dehydrated, taste something that feels like home, and it is also super easy to make in your dorm. 

Fruits: I recommend eating any kind of fruit because they have lots of nutritional benefits. The best fruits to eat when you are sick are ones with vitamin C and/or that have a lot of hydration, such as oranges, strawberries, bananas, and apples. 

Tea:  To reiterate, having warm liquids is the best treatment when you have a sore throat or a stuffy nose. I suggest drinking green or black tea, because they help your immune system. I also enjoy lemon ginger tea because I find it’s the best to cure a sore throat. 

 Be sure to utilize your meal plan and try these teas at a dining hall (with a little bit of the dining hall honey of course). 

Electrolyte Packets/Drinks: I highly recommend making sure you get your electrolytes in when you are ill. This category of drink consists of Gatorade, Powerade, Vitamin Water, etc. They are also really beneficial because they hydrate you, give you more energy, and help you absorb nutrients to foster a smoother recovery. If you want to try something unique, get the mango lemonade electrolyte powder from the brand Santa Cruz Paleo!

Resources Nearby

Whether it’s getting your exercise in or stocking up on sick-day needs, it’s important to know what is on/around campus that can help you! 

Barnes Center Gym: If you are feeling well enough, it is always good to try and sweat out the toxins in your body. Even a simple, short workout to get your body moving can make you feel better. This can be going on the treadmill or lifting some weights. 

(Please remember to disinfect any equipment you use, though there are wipes all throughout the facility to help prevent the spread of germs/bacteria)

Barnes Center Clinic: If you are feeling really just horrible and could be deemed as “bedridden,” please go make an appointment to get checked! You can make an appointment by filling out a super-easy form through the SU Wellness portal on MySlice, and they usually get back to you very quickly. However, if your symptoms are really concerning… GIRL, go to one of the nearby hospitals!

CVS: If you want to buy any of these snacks, medicines, vitamins, or drinks, this is the place to go. Located on Marshall Street, CVS is one of the most accessible convenience stores nearby that carries everything I have mentioned in this article. 

Edited by: Riana Desai & Ava Ascenzo