(BLACK PR WIRE/FAMU-TALLAHASSEE) – Kiara Hall knew this was bad. This is, arguably, one of the most exciting times in her life, but instead of adjusting to life as a college freshman, she was sitting on one of the stiff chairs in Florida A&M University’s health clinic. “I knew I had the flu when I could barely get out of bed. It was awful,” said Hall.

Hall, 18, a pharmacy student from Miami, is one of many ill Rattlers in her dormitory, McGuinn Hall. “Every time I came back from class, I either heard about someone on my hall who had the flu, or who thought that individual had the flu,” said Hall. Unfortunately McGuinn, and the other nine residence halls on campus, are breeding grounds for germs and other harmful bacteria.

According to Health.com, an internet site dedicated to every health subject imaginable, Hall most likely caught the illness from her fellow dorm mates. The site recently released an article pin-pointing nine health hazards that are prominent in dormitory living. Here are the top three:

1. The swine flu frenzy has caused panic levels to soar across many college campuses. The number of cases this fall semester is astounding, shocking even to the most prepared of health care professionals. A healthcare alert icon featured on FAMU’S official website warns students of the flu virus and its probability to spread around campus: “The H1N1 influenza virus continues to be a concern for the FAMU community. We are asking that everyone take proper precautions to help prevent the spread of flu.” Health.com accredits close living quarters as an easy way to swap germs from person to person, putting students who live in dorms at increased risk. As a result, washing hands and covering the mouth after sneezing are important in curbing the sickness.

2. If you are in college and a law-abiding citizen, you should have gotten the meningitis vaccine. Currently, 37 states in the country have passed legislation to make the vaccine mandatory. Meningitis is a rare, but sometimes fatal, disease that mostly affects college students who live in dormitories. According to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, all students should be vaccinated to prevent the spread of the disease. MSNBC.com’s health section advises dorm buddies to wash hands frequently in order to increase chances of eluding the illness.

3. Keep that brand new tube of lipstick to yourself! This is a warning given by doctors across America to their mononucleosis patients. Mononucleosis is better known as “the kissing disease” or simply “mono.” It is a viral infection spread through deep throat kissing or the sharing of personal items, such as lip gloss. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever and rash. When infected with “mono,” it is advised to abstain from physical contact.