Freshers’ flu is a widely recognized term describing a cluster of common cold and viral symptoms experienced by many new university students shortly after arriving on campus. Despite its name, it is important to clarify that this condition is typically not caused by the influenza virus, which is responsible for seasonal flu. Instead, it is usually a manifestation of various common viral infections.
The rapid spread of freshers’ flu can be attributed to several factors inherent to the university initiation period. Thousands of students, originating from diverse geographical locations, converge within a new, often communal, living and learning environment. This sudden mass gathering facilitates the easy transmission of a multitude of common viruses, including rhinovirus, adenovirus, and other respiratory pathogens. Close proximity in halls of residence, shared lecture theatres, social events, and communal facilities create an ideal breeding ground for these viruses to circulate among a population that may have varying degrees of immunity to specific strains. While uncomfortable and disruptive, leading to symptoms such as coughs, sore throats, fatigue, headaches, and general malaise, freshers’ flu is rarely a serious illness.
