Many University of Memphis students are suffering from illnesses every day, but they are forced to continue working or going to classes, either for financial reasons or because the syllabus said that you can't miss more that five days without being penalized an entire letter grade.
Jacqueline DeFouw, health educator at The University of Memphis, said that early detection could be helpful to students.
"People can't learn if they are mentally or physically unhealthy," DeFouw said. "Students should know that the sooner bacterial infections are treated the sooner we can get rid of them."
She said students shouldn't wait to go to the doctor because they need to get treated to cut down on the spread of germs.
"I know that students have to go to class, but they should consider that when they are sick and they go to work or class they are going to be spreading their germs around," DeFouw said.
Lakeisha Ford, a freshman nursing major, said she has dealt with balancing illness and classes already in her academic career.
"I had to go to class when I had a really bad cold and it was terrible, because I couldn't concentrate at all," Ford said.
She said the illness sometimes causes problems for students. "I have had problems with professors when I have been out sick, but for the most part if I had an excuse they let me make up the work," Ford said.
Amanda Walls, a senior sociology major, said when you work and go to school, sickness is a big issue.
"I'm a waitress, and everyone knows that for waitresses there really aren't any sick days," Walls said.
She said the fact that she is a senior and almost graduated drives her to keep going even though it's not healthy to push yourself when sick.
"I've waited tables when I have been sneezing and had a fever," Walls said. "It is sad, but the people in power are so greedy that they don't even care if you're sick."
Walls said that sometimes the repercussions to calling in sick are unspoken.
"I know if I have called in sick, on my next shift my manager will be cold towards me," Walls said. "They make it very clear that you can't make calling in sick a habit."
Walls said she understands that students have financial and academic responsibilities that play a role in how many days they can take off.
"We all have obligations, but if you are seriously ill you should be able to say, 'I'm not doing anything today, I need to get better,'" Walls said.
Courtney Langston, a sophomore nursing major, said that going to class sick is difficult.
"I hate going to class when I'm sick," Langston said. "I'm not functional because I can't even stay awake."
DeFouw said people should learn to appreciate their health more.
"I know that we all think that we are indispensable, but my favorite quote that people should remember is that wellness is a prerequisite for all else," she said.
