🦠RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
You wake up in your dorm with a sore throat, runny nose and cough. Before heading to class and sharing your germs with 100 people, this is the first thing you should consider doing.
What is staying home/limiting close contact and considering a COVID test?
The fastest way to spread a stomach bug through a dorm is to share this item with someone who is sick.
What is food, a drink, or eating utensils?
This means a person freely agrees to sexual activity—and it can be withdrawn at any time.
What is consent?
The CDC recommends scrubbing your hands with soap and water for at least this long.
What is 20 seconds?
The safest way to get home from a party when you've been drinking is this.
What is use a sober driver, rideshare, campus transportation or another safe ride?
Most teenagers need roughly this much sleep per night.
What is 8–10 hours?
Your roommate has influenza. You feel fine. You should still do this to reduce your chance of getting sick.
What is wash your hands, improve ventilation, avoid sharing drinks/utensils and limit close contact when possible?
Vomiting and diarrhea can cause this potentially serious problem when your body loses too much fluid.
What is dehydration?
This method of contraception is also one of the best ways to reduce transmission of many sexually transmitted infections.
What are condoms?
Your roommate leaves their wet towel on the bathroom floor for three days. Besides being disgusting, this creates an environment where these can thrive.
What are bacteria and fungi?
Alcohol can impair judgment and coordination before someone necessarily looks “drunk.” This is why driving after drinking is dangerous.
What is impaired reaction time and decision-making?
The college habit of staying up until 3 AM and then trying to function on caffeine can negatively affect this.
What are mood, concentration, memory and physical health?
These tiny particles can spread respiratory viruses when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks—or simply breathes.
What are respiratory droplets/aerosols?
This is one of the best ways to prevent spreading a stomach virus after using the bathroom.
What is washing your hands with soap and water.
True or false: You can have an STI without knowing it because some STIs don't cause obvious symptoms.
What is true?
You just finished working out and have no time to shower before class. At minimum, you should do this.
What is change out of sweaty clothes and clean yourself as soon as practical?
Someone offers you a pill at a party and says, “It's basically Adderall.” You don't know where it came from. The safest answer is this.
What is “No”?
You have a huge exam tomorrow. It's midnight. You can either stay up all night studying or get some sleep. Your brain will generally perform better if you choose this.
What is sleep?
You're 300 miles from home, have a fever of 103°F, feel awful, and aren't sure whether you need a doctor. Your college's student health center exists for exactly this kind of situation. Your first step during business hours should usually be this.
What is call or contact Student Health?
You've had diarrhea for three days and now you're dizzy when you stand up, barely urinating and can't keep fluids down. Your next move should be this.
What is seek medical care?
You're starting college and want to take care of your health. Which college resource can provide confidential advice about sexual health, STI testing, and contraception?
What is Student Health?
You develop an itchy, circular rash after sharing gym equipment and towels. One possibility is this contagious fungal infection.
What is ringworm?
A friend who has been drinking is unconscious and difficult to wake. Their friends say, “Just let them sleep.” You should instead do this.
What is call 911/emergency medical help and stay with them?
Your friend says, “I've been anxious every day for weeks and I can't function.” Your response should NOT be “Everyone is stressed in college.” Instead, encourage them to do this.
What is talk with a healthcare professional or mental-health professional?
You feel better after having a respiratory virus, but then suddenly develop worsening fever, chest pain or difficulty breathing. This is a reason to get evaluated because it could indicate this.
What is a complication or secondary infection?
This highly contagious virus is one of the most common causes of vomiting and diarrhea outbreaks in college dorms, cruise ships, and other close living environments.
Your friend tells you they're unsure whether a situation at a party crossed a line and they're worried about what happened. What's a good first step?
What is listen, support them, and help them connect with a trusted person or campus resource?
Your roommate has pink eye. They offer you their towel because “it's clean.” Your answer should be this.
What is “No thanks—I don't share personal towels”?
You're at a party. Your friend suddenly becomes confused, extremely sleepy and difficult to wake after having a drink they didn't pour themselves. This is your cue to do what?
What is get emergency help immediately, stay with them, and tell responders what you know?
A friend tells you they are thinking about suicide. They ask you not to tell anyone. You care about them—but this is one secret you should not keep.
What is get immediate help from a trusted adult/professional or emergency service and stay with them?