Common student illnesses
Fresher's Flu
Loads of students arriving in one place means only one thing, fresher's flu, especially as your immune system will probably be weakened in the first couple of weeks by lack of sleep and lots of vodka!
Symptoms are, for example, fever, headaches, sore throat, and muscle aches.
Fight back by limiting the takeaways and alcohol.
Take a multivitamin and eat some fruit and veg to get vital nutrients.
Make sure to give your body time to rest and take painkillers and cough syrup as required.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Students are the second highest risk group for meningitis, with up to a quarter of students carrying the bacteria that cause the disease.
It's spread through person to person contact, such as sharing a glass, coughing and sneezing near someone, or sharing a cigarette so it's vital to have good personal hygiene.
Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, an aversion to bright lights, drowsiness and a rash that doesn't fade under pressure.
If you are in any doubt call a doctor immediately as meningitis can kill in a matter of hours.
Depression
It's important to recognise the difference between having a down day, and constantly feeling depressed.
Some warning signs to look out for include a change in sleeping or eating habits, feeling tearful or irritable, lack of sex drive, fatigue, inability to concentrate, or suicidal thoughts.
You don't have to suffer in silence.
You don't have to suffer in silenceRebecca Gould
Surround yourself with supportive friends and family
. Don't be scared to visit your GP. They will probably refer you to a helpful support group or councillor.
Lots of universities, for example Manchester University, run a Nightline phone service so there's someone there 24/7.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common STI that can cause irreversible damage to the reproductive organs.
It can be transmitted by vaginal, oral, or anal sex and is very infectious.
There are often no symptoms, meaning it can lie undetected and cause serious damage.
However, any pain and bleeding after sex, or unusual discharge should be checked out.
Avoid it by using condoms with every new partner, and ideally make sure both of you pay a visit to the nearest GUM clinic.
You can get tested for chlamydia loads of places: sexual health clinics, your GP, and lots of pharmacies like Lloyds.
If you have it, make an appointment at your GP and they'll prescribe antibiotics to clear things up.
You'll also have to tell everyone you've slept with since your last clean STI test so they can get tested too.
