How to Stay Healthy While Living in a Dorm

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed just about everything about our world—including campus life. And like most shared spaces where many people are in close contact, college dorms tend to be germ factories. So, how can you stay healthy during these challenging times? The experienced medical professionals at South Tampa Immediate Care offer the following tips:

Stock Up on Hand Sanitizer

You know the importance of frequent handwashing. But you might not have access to a sink in your dorm room. If you don’t—and even if you do—it’s a good idea to have lots of alcohol-based hand sanitizer available. Be sure to use it liberally before you eat, after you’ve been in a public area, and before you touch your face.

Breathe in Some Fresh Air

COVID-19 primarily spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets that become airborne when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. And viruses travel easily in small, stuffy spaces like dorm rooms. So, open the windows if you can; an infusion of clean air can dilute the virus and help prevent it from spreading.

Use Your Own Kitchen Supplies

If you share a kitchen, pack your own dishes, cups, utensils, and cookware and carry them back and forth to the kitchen whenever you need them (just like you carry your toiletries to the hall bathroom). That way, you’ll know for sure that everything you use has been properly cleaned. Also, consider taking your food to-go, if you have that option. If you eat in your room or outdoors, you’ll be less likely to come in close contact with a person who isn’t wearing a mask.

Wear a Mask

Your school probably has a gathering size limit and a policy on when masks are required in the dorms. Be sure to adhere to both. Statistically speaking, the fewer people you are around, the less likely you’ll be to catch COVID-19 or unknowingly spread it. Also, if you’re ever in doubt, you should always wear a mask.

Speak Up if You’re Uncomfortable

Do think the kitchen is overcrowded or there are too many people using the hall bathroom at once? Chances are that others feel the same way. Talk with your RA and/or dormmates and try to come up with a social-distancing plan to help everyone feel safer.

Get Tested if You Have Symptoms

Be sure to follow your school’s COVID-19 testing protocols and opt for additional testing if you have symptoms, such as a low-grade fever or persistent cough. Even if you’re confident that it’s just allergies, it’s important to find out for sure so you can take the necessary steps to avoid exposing others around you.

For more tips on how to stay healthy while living in a dorm, contact or visit South Tampa Immediate Care. We offer a full range of non-emergency healthcare services, including COVID-19 testing, on a walk-in basis. You can also save time by entering our waiting room remotely.