It's the most wonderful time of the year! The leaves are changing, there's a crispness in the air, and it's now socially acceptable to break out your Uggs. But wait, do you hear that? OK yes, we can hear the premature playing of Christmas music (really, people?), but what is that awful hacking sound? Oh God, no...your roommates...they have the flu.
As the holiday spirit is quickly sweeping across college campuses, so is the influenza, the good ole' rhinovirus, and a few cases of "I just need to sleep for a week." While everyone deals with feeling under the weather a little differently, you've probably run into one of these 13 people at some point in your life...and immediately ran in the other direction.
1. The Vitamin C Addict.
Fully equipped with Airborne, Sunny D, and the occasional clementine, you swear that these people have a tint of orange in their skin.
2. The "just in case."
Even though they aren't even close to being sick, they're on three different types of cold, flu, and sinus medications because they felt a slight tickle in their throat (but let's be real, it's probably just a piece of popcorn from last week caught in there).
3. The Anti-vaxer.
While your peers, professors, and doctors are constantly badgering you to get your flu shot, there is always that one friend who willingly abstains from the annual vaccination because they swear that it is just the drug companies' way to make more money or that it will make you grow an extra limb. Two weeks later, they're the ones complaining about how sick they are. Hmmm...I wonder why.
4. The Forcefield.
The moment they hear the slightest sniffle from their roommate, it's time to break out the hazmat suit. This modern day bubble boy comes fully equipped with Clorox wipes, Kleenex, and a boatload of hand-sanitizer and isn't afraid to use them.
5. The "I'm going to sit next to you even though I have Ebola."
Oh, you've been diagnosed with acute meningitis? Thanks for breathing on me, I really, really appreciate it.
6. The Flu Shot Junky.
This friend talks about the importance of getting a flu shot like it's heroin. Oh my god, it's sooo great, it feels sooo good, you guys need to try it! While you admire how they're taking preventative measures, you have to admit that you internally chuckle when they end up getting the flu.
6. The Squirter.
Mmm, the smell of alcohol and tropical fruit. With the amount of hand-sanitizer that these people use, they might as well start drinking it. I mean, a shot of Purell and Smirnoff basically taste the same anyways, right?
7. The Sniffler.
OH MY GOD, BLOW YOUR FREAKING NOSE ALREADY!!!
8. The Complainer.
We get it, you feel like you're gonna die, you've told us 20 times. Now do all of us a favor and go to health services.
9. The Dealer.
Anytime someone complains about a headache, this person whips a supply of Advil, Tylenol, and Mucinex out of their backpack like they were expecting you to be sick. While this person can often be mistaken for being the "Mom" of the friend group, they'll get rid of your aches and pain, but for a price.
10. The Homeopathist.
A trip to the doctors? How about a trip to the chiropractor? This friend has aggressively sworn off of all drugs, only relying on natural and holistic remedies. While telling you about their most recent acupuncture appointment, they passive-aggressively point out how taking too many Ibuprofen will eventually burn a hole in your stomach.
11. The WebMD Doctor.
They've got WebMD and the Mayo Clinic bookmarked on their homepage and are convinced that their sinus headache is actually a brain tumor.
12. The Walking Dead.
You are seriously questioning how this person is even alive right now, as you take very large and very slow steps away from them.
13. The "Oh, I'm not contagious anymore!"
Hahahaha, good one.