You never know how much you miss hand-delivered chicken soup with a sprite from your mom until you’re sick in a dorm room with a microwave, one dirty bowl and no soup.
I learned this quickly after I tested positive for strep throat last semester, and when I went home for winter break my brother kindly gave me the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
It wasn’t until I was sick with strep throat last semester that I noticed how hard it is to be sick. But the bright side is that it gave me the idea for this great article.
Of course I got strep throat near the end of the semester as classes sped up for finals, so missing a day felt like missing a week. There really is no better time to have strep throat!
After starting with a cough and sinus issues, I assumed it was the approaching winter allergies. A week later after having coughing fits till I threw up, I knew it was time to go to the Student Wellness Center for a checkup and COVID-19 test.
Having never been to the doctor alone, this was such an eye-opening experience, especially since I was so unprepared. I had no clue how to fill out all that paperwork or email a copy of my insurance card. If you’re ever sick and haven’t been to the Wellness Center remember these four things: your health insurance card, your social security number, (usually) a $15 co-pay and your ID.
After finishing the paperwork, I had to wait for what felt like an eternity to be seen. Because I have seen the same female doctor since I was three years old, waiting to meet the new male doctor was extremely nerve racking. However, the doctor was very nice and he immediately figured out I had strep throat and a cold at the same time.
You would think that it was finally nice to know what you’re sick with and have medicine to cure your illness. You couldn’t be more wrong. I took my two weeks of medicine, missed three classes to rest and even ate chicken soup. Yet nothing got better; my cough lasted another two months. After finally getting over the cold and going home for winter break, I got COVID-19.
After a New Year’s party, my brother’s entire friend group caught COVID-19, and I was the only other one lucky enough to catch Omicron in the family.
Having COVID-19 is the sickest I have ever felt, but I know it would have been three times worse if I had been on campus. At least being home I got to quarantine with my cats in my room, and my mom’s miso soup with rice to eat because it was the only thing my stomach could keep down.
After all that, I have to advise when getting sick near or over a winter break, try to plan it when you’re home and not near finals week. I would not recommend getting sick again unless you have someone to bring you food and a pet for comfort.
