Personal tools

Medical Issues and Conditions

null

null Find out more about a treatment or health condition?

You can find information about treatments and health conditions at

Sympton Checker:

You might also find it useful to discuss further with a nurse or doctor at the

  Freemen's Common Health Centre.

null Fresher’s Flu

For most students Fresher's Week is such an exciting time - it's the opportunity to join clubs, make new friends and get started in university life. However, the social whirlwind of the first few weeks of term can also be pretty rough on your health.

Fresher’s Flu is the name commonly given to a range of symptoms experienced by many new students during the first few weeks at university. Common symptoms include a raised temperature, sore throat, severe headache, coughing and general discomfort. The illnesses may or may not include actual flu and, is often simply a bad cold, but is so named simply due to circumstances.

There are many factors which may contribute to the cause of Fresher’s Flu and include:

  • Large numbers of people coming together from all over the world with different levels of immunity
  • Communal living
  • Poor diet
  • Levels of alcohol consumed
  • Lack of sleep
  • Lack of exercise

Fresher’s Flu might also affect how you feel emotionally; Leaving home for most students will create mixed emotions and many will experience a level of homesickness. These emotions may become more intense at times of physical illness.

‘Having fun at University is really important and so is looking after yourself’.

To avoid Fresher’s Flu remember to:

  • Be vigilant with hand washing to avoid spreading any infection
  • Use tissues if required, especially when sneezing
  • Do not share drinking cups, bottles or cutlery unless washed in between use
  • Do not share towels
  • Eat well
  • Do not exceed recommended safe alcohol limits
  • Maintain a regular sleep pattern
  • Have some form of physical activity

If you develop symptoms of Fresher’s Flu go to the following website for advice about what you should do http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Treatment.aspx

null Measles

Recently there has been a marked increase in measles cases and because of this the Department of Health has launched an MMR vaccine catch up programme to help reduce the risk of a measles epidemic. Measles is serious; it can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, and around 10% of measles cases require hospital admission.

Students at University are in one of the target groups for the MMR catch up programme. The purpose of the programme is to prevent you as an individual contracting measles and to prevent the community consequences that an epidemic would entail.

If you have not had measles or 2 MMR vaccines (you might have only had one during childhood) it is recommended that you arrange to have 2 vaccines accordingly. You can arrange to have vaccines or discuss further by making and appointment to see a nurse at the Freemen's Common Health Centre.

If you develop symptoms of measles you should make an appointment to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Measles Information
nhs choices

 

Useful Links:

null Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection of the parotid salivary glands. These glands are located just below and in front of the ears. They produce saliva, which drains into the mouth and helps to break up and digest food. Mumps is caused by a contagious virus, which is transmitted through airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes of infected people. It takes 14 and 21 days for the symptoms of mumps to develop, after coming into contact with someone who has the virus. Mumps is normally a mild illness, but in a minority of cases there can be severe complications, such as deafness and meningitis.

Contact a doctor
Mumps Information
nhs choices

null Influenza Pandemic

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. Pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity and for which there is no vaccine.

In contrast to the ‘ordinary’ or ‘seasonal’ flu outbreaks which we see every winter in the U.K., flu pandemics occur infrequently – usually every few decades. Concerns have recently increased as a result of the spread of avian (bird) flu in Asia. A strain of flu that usually only affects birds has infected people and caused serious illness and deaths. If this virus mixes with a human flu virus a new flu virus may be created, which could potentially cause a pandemic. However, as yet this has not occurred.

The U.K. Government is working hard to put plans into place to reduce the potential impact of a flu pandemic. The University of Leicester has a contingency plan which will be activated in the event of a flu pandemic. In the event of a pandemic, students and staff will be provided with advice/guidance as dictated by the situation (this may change on a daily/hourly basis). The University will be informed accordingly by the Government and local NHS organisations. Information will be available on the University website, through briefing sessions, posters, leaflets and a dedicated telephone helpline.

Further information can be found at: http://www.le.ac.uk/library/clinical/influenza.html

null Meningitis

Why do I need to be aware of Meningitis?

Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning) are serious diseases that can strike rapidly with little warning and if left untreated could be fatal. Outbreaks of meningitis tend to occur where people live or work closely together, such as university, living in halls of residence, living in shared student accommodation.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges (the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). The infection can be caused by bacteria or a virus, and it leads to the meninges becoming inflamed. This can damage the nerves and brain.

How can I prevent meningitis?

There are a number of vaccines that can prevent most cases of viral and bacterial meningitis and include:

  • MMR (protects against measles, mumps and rubella)
  • Meningitis C
  • DTa/IPV/Hib (protects against the Hib virus, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio)

In this country children should receive these vaccines as part of their childhood vaccination programme. Students are advised to have the vaccines before starting university. Your G.P. should be able to advise if you are up to date with the vaccines and arrange any vaccinations if required.

What should I do if I haven’t had the vaccines before starting university?

When you have registered with a local G.P (See How to register with a doctor) make an appointment with the Practice Nurse to discuss what vaccines you require.

Are there any other ways of preventing the spread of meningitis?

Meningitis can be spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, poor hygiene or prolonged close personal contact. The following is good practice and the responsibility of all to help prevent the spread of meningitis and any other infection.

  • Always carry tissues
  • Avoid sharing personal possessions such as a toothbrush or cigarette
  • Use a clean tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
  • Bin the tissue after one use
  • Wash and dry your hands regularly using soap and hot water
  • Encourage others to follow advice if poor personal hygiene or preventative measures are not demonstrated
  • Learn to recognise the symptoms of meningitis and what to do if symptoms occur
  • Avoid sharing eating/drinking utensils (unless washed and dried in-between use)

What is the difference between bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis?

It is only possible to distinguish between bacterial and viral meningitis by carrying out clinical tests; it is not possible to tell the difference from symptoms alone. All cases of suspected meningitis should be treated as an emergency because if caused by bacteria the meningitis could lead to septicaemia which can be fatal.

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

  • Severe headache
  • Vomiting
  • High temperature (fever) of 38 degrees or over
  • Stiff neck
  • Sensitivity to light
  • A distinctive skin rash (not everyone will develop this)

Bacterial meningitis is the more serious form of the condition. The symptoms usually begin suddenly and rapidly get worse. Bacterial meningitis has a number of early warning signs that can occur earlier than the other symptoms and are:

  • Pain in the muscles
  • Unusually cold hands and feet, or shivering
  • Pale or blotchy skin and blue lips

Viral meningitis does not usually lead to septicaemia. Most people with viral meningitis will have flu-like symptoms. In more severe cases of viral meningitis symptoms may also include:

  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

What should I do if meningitis is suspected?

Early treatment is essential - If you or a friend develops any of the above symptoms you should seek immediate medical help. Contact Freemen’s Common Health Centre, Tel: 0844 8151105 or the health centre you are registered with and tell them you suspect meningitis. When the Health Centre is closed go directly to the Urgent Care Centre or Accident and Emergency Department at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. If you require help with this and are living in University halls of residence contact your Sub warden or Residential Advisor who will have received specific training relating to meningitis.

Where can I find more information about meningitis?

http://www.meningitis-trust.org/

http://www.meningitis.org

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Meningitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

What will the University do if a student or number of students contract meningitis?

The University works closely with the Health Protection Agency to prevent meningitis; in the event of a single or multiple cases the University will follow the University of Leicester Meningitis guidelines which are reviewed annually.

null Tuberculosis
Some students will require a certificate to show they are free from infectious pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). More information can be found at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/tbscreening.

Share this page:

Contact us

Student Healthy Living
Freemen's Common
161 Welford Road
Leicester
LE2 6BF

Tel: 0116 223 1268

l