Illness
When you start University you will be in contact with loads of new people and your body will come into contact with lots of new germs and bugs.
Colds and flu are quite common for freshers. Have you heard of the Freshers Flu?
If you end up feeling tired and run down try to rest and give your body a break/boost. You will be busy over the first few weeks so at some point it may well all catch up with you. If you are not getting enough rest, your immune system will be weak so make sure you are looking after yourself.
If you think you or a friend has something more serious you may need to seek medical help. Below you will find out how to spot key signs of various illnesses assoicated with Uni life and who to talk to if you need help.
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Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges caused by bacteria or viruses. There are two types of meningitis: bacterial and viral.
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is caused by several different types of germs, which live naturally at the back of the nose and throat in one in ten people (only in some do the germs overwhelm the bodies defences and cause meningitis). Bacterial Meningitis can be spread by: close prolonged contact; coughing; sneezing; and kissing. Incubation for bacterial meningitis is between two and ten days.
Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis may be caused by viruses such as coxsackie, herpes simplex, mumps, the varicella zoster virus of chicken pox and shingles, poliovirus, echoviruses (including enterovisuses). Germs can be spread through coughing, sneezing poor hygiene or sewage polluted water. Viral meningitis is a less common form of the disease and less severe but, very rarely, can progress from headaches, fever and drowsiness to deep coma. In severe cases there may be the following: weakness of the muscles; paralysis; speech disturbances; double vision or partial loss of the field of vision; and epileptic fits. Most people make a recovery within one or two weeks. Occasionally there maybe long term problems such as hearing or memory impairment.
Symptoms of Meningitis
There is no known way to prevent meningitis, so it is important that you can identify the symptoms. There are a number of symptoms of meningitis but they can be difficult to identify as they are similar to flu symptoms. Symptoms appear over one to two days or in a matter of hours the list below shows some of the symptoms which may occur, not all symptoms may be present and other symptoms may also occur. In adults and older children:
- High temperature
- Vomiting
- Sometimes diarrhoea
- Severe headache
- Neck stiffness (unable to touch chin to chest)
- Aversion to bright light
- Sore throat
- Drowsiness
- Joint or muscle pains
- Stomach cramps
- Fits
- Confusion, and disorientation
The incubation period can be up to three weeks. Any symptoms should be checked by a doctor immediately.
Vaccinations
It is recommended that all young people under 25 should be immunised. Vaccines are available against certain types of bacterial meningitis. These are meningococci groups A and C and against Haemophilus influenzae (HiB), which can also cause meningitis.
Meningococcal C and HiB now form part of the routine national immunisation schedule for child health. Older children and adults need just one dose of Men C. People who have been in close contact with someone that has been diagnosed with types A or C of bacterial meningitis should be vaccinated against that particular type; if they were in contact with type B, then vaccination is not advised.
For more information contact your GP. You may also want to check out the following websites: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk and www.meningitis.org.
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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 normally a mild illness, there are a minority of cases when there can be severe complications, such as deafness and meningitis. Mumps is caused by a contagious virus which is transmitted through airborne droplets form the coughs and sneezes of infected people.
Symptoms of Mumps
Patients are contagious for around 5 days before symptoms first appear and for about 5 days afterwards. Symptoms include swelling of the glands and a raised temperature, approximately between 37.5-39.5C (100 to 103F). To confirm your GP may carry out a blood, urine or cerebrospinal fluid test (CSF). Other symptoms may include:
- Pain when chewing and swallowing
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Feeling tired
- Loss of appetite
- Mild abdominal (tummy) pain
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- There may be swelling around the ovaries (in girls) or testes (in boys after puberty).
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Vaccinations
The MMR vaccine is given in two doses, as part of the national immunisation programme. The MMR vaccine is usually received during childhood, in some cases young adults may require a second immunisation. Check with your GP if you are unsure.
Treatment
There is no cure for mumps; the body heals itself by producing antibodies to the virus. People with mumps should:
- Drink plenty of cool fluids, especially water
- Avoid fruit juice because it stimulates saliva, which can be painful
- Mild pain killers can help to reduce the pain
- A warm flannel can sooth the swollen glands
For more information contact your GP or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
The Leeds Student Medical Practice offers a wide range of services for the University of Leeds students and can provide you with any medical advice you may need. For more information visit www.leeds.ac.uk/lsmp.The most common concerns regarding student health are the meningitis and mumps illnesses.
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