Here is some guidance to help you maintain your health at university and refresh your awareness of the different types of health issues to remain vigilant of, while knowing how to support those around you.
Register with a local doctor
Register with a local doctor (GP) before you are unwell so you can access services straight away if you need them. You can register quickly and easily online. If you live near Highfield Campus, sign up to one of the University’s health services:
Use the NHS Find a GP service if you live in Winchester or off-campus to find a nearby doctor.
Visit the NHS website for further guidance and tips on getting medical care as a student.
Get medical advice quickly
Always seek medical help or advice immediately if you are worried about your own or someone else’s health, especially if you/they are getting worse:
- Seek medical advice quickly if you are worried, call NHS 111.
- Act fast – if you are getting worse quickly, call 999 in a medical emergency. If you have already been diagnosed with an infectious illness, please let the call handler know.
Know the signs and symptoms
Make sure you know the main signs and symptoms of the following health issues which can sometimes impact student communities.
Meningitis (MenACWY)
It is important to understand that not everyone gets all the meningitis symptoms, and they can appear in any order:
- Fever and/or vomiting
- Severe headache
- Limb, joint, muscle pain, stiff neck
- Cold hands and feet, shivering
- Pale or mottled skin, or rash
- Breathing fast, breathless
- Dislike of bright lights, seizures (fits)
- Very sleepy, difficult to wake, vacant, confused or delirious
Visit the NHS website to find out more about Meningitis.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Measles: Fever, cold-like symptoms, rash, sore eyes or conjunctivitis
- Mumps: Fever, headache and swollen glands in the face
- Rubella: Swollen glands, sore throat, temperature and a rash
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more about MMR.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Typical symptoms of TB include:
- A persistent cough that lasts more than 3 weeks and usually brings up phlegm, which may be bloody
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- High temperature
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Swellings in the neck
Visit the NHS website to find out more about TB.
Protect yourself
Make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations. The University health service offers various vaccinations to help you protect yourself from preventable diseases if you have not received them yet including the MenACWY vaccine and necessary two doses of the combined MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination.
You can also access COVID-19 vaccine doses – bookable via the NHS website.
You are encouraged to bring a copy of your vaccination history to appointments where available. Ask your GP for more information about available vaccines.
Let us know
Stay at home if you feel unwell or are showing any illness symptoms and always make sure someone knows if you feel ill. This includes emailing your Personal Academic Tutor and The Student Hub to let them know you are unwell and will be missing teaching.
Regularly wash hands
Regularly wash hands and use alcohol-based sanitiser if soap and water is not available – a simple way to prevent germs from spreading. We provide hand sanitiser in our University buildings.
News you may have missed
Catch up on the recent SUSSED article with further health advice and information – Information on COVID-19 and seasonal illnesses.
Further information and guidance
Visit the Health and Wellbeing SharePoint site for further health guidance including useful links in the dedicated A-Z page on the site.