By Adeosun Moses

The semester is known to be filled with lots of events and plenty of stress. To this end, there are two important pieces of advice for UI students. First, Students should remember the child of whom they are. Secondly, students must understand what works for them.  Usually, this advice is typical to prelude a series of moral codes and behavioral must-dos you’d get from your parents, before leaving home. However, this time around, they apply to the context of your genotype, and it’d affect your engagement at this time of the session.

There are six basic blood genotypes, AA, AS, AC, SC, CC, and SS. Three of these blood groups are very common; the AA, AS, and SS genotypes. It is important to first, know what your blood type is. This knowledge has a considerable effect on a person’s habitual leanings and quality of life. You can know your blood genotype by going to any reputable medical laboratory. Get your blood sample collected and analyzed for your genotype and for other blood parameters. C’est Fini!

Science says the genotype plus environment equals phenotype. That is your genetic make and your blood genotype considerably affect the way you look, react to situations, and survive. Scientifically, genotypic predispositions to several health conditions differ, and it is important you understand what is peculiar to you. 

According to a research article by The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, individuals with AS have a parasitic density that is 50-90% less than people with normal hemoglobin (AA). Public health studies have also established that the AS genotype is underrepresented among children with severe malaria. More precisely, the sickle cell trait has been identified on different occasions to be a major factor in human malaria resistance.  

We are in the rainy season and it comes with higher susceptibility to the malaria parasite sir to the fact that the weather is favorable for mosquitoes to breed. Therefore, to avoid sickness, and its consequent effect on academic performance, it is expedient that you avoid mosquito bites if you have the AA blood genotype. You may want to avoid night reading in lecture halls, and possible water-clogged areas on the University campus and outside. 

Also, speaking of rain, it does not only serve as a safe harbor for the brooding of mosquitoes, but it also supports different insects which also act as vectors for different disease-causing organisms(pathogens). By implication, if you have the SS blood genotype, you may want to ensure you are properly covered. You need to be insulated from the cold and protected from pathogens. 

Furthermore, you may want to avoid overcrowded areas and places with little oxygen, if you have the SS genotype. Take for one, you may want to avoid seeing football inside crowded Junior rooms. You may also want to find a comfortable space in large lecture rooms. The S genotype type – because of its sickle shape – takes a lesser percentage of Oxygen compared to the A genotype type and this semester would have several events with multitudes, so you may need to be on the lookout.

In conclusion, regardless of your genotype, it is important you watch your health in the second semester. Stress, unhealthy eating habits, and over-exhaustion are the dominant causes of major illnesses and may affect your performance and quality of life.