An erratic routine of alcohol-fuelled late nights, sporadic sleep and a hassle-free diet (mainly consisting of takeaways), is in other words a recipe for disaster when it comes to freshers’ health. The first few weeks of university are renowned for being crazy and definitely take their toll upon students’ immune systems. New students living in close proximity to one another are often exposed to many new germs, with Fresher’s Flu, meningitis and glandular fever being but a few regular occurrences.

Freshers’ Flu causes its sufferers a lot of distress and feels like a particularly bad head cold. Students complain of a fever, dry cough, shivering, and headache or feeling generally unwell. If you are one of the sufferers, have plenty of rest and fluids, and something like paracetemol is good for a high temperature. However, there are many products available so it is advisable to go to your local pharmacy for advice on the best one. But if you have any concerns at all then a visit to the doctor is important.

So what should the Fresher’s Flu preventative approach be? Good food, plenty of exercise and sleep are essential to build up your immune system, making you less vulnerable to these illnesses. An awareness of the symptoms and seeking treatment at an early stage can prevent the condition from ruining your fresher experience.

However, meningitis is a far more alarming illness and is always a danger to students. Meningitis is inflammation of the lining of the brain and has two forms – viral and bacterial. The bacterial meningitis is the dangerous form and needs urgent medical attention and symptoms like a stiff neck, severe headache or a rash that worsens and does not fade when pressed with a glass should all be checked immediately. Other symptoms like a dislike of bright lights, a high temperature or vomiting can be experienced.

If you have any suspicions at all then do not hesitate to ring NHS Direct or seek medical attention immediately, regardless of how insignificant you think it is – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The best way to enjoy and maximise your fresher experience is to prevent these illnesses from occurring, so make sure you get those five-a-day, sleep, and give your liver a break on a regular basis.

Deidre Walsh

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