Colds and flu can occur throughout the year, but appear to be more common in the winter months. It’s important to be aware of the different types of flu-like illnesses you may encounter and look after yourself.

The main symptoms of a cold are sneezing, a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose. This may be accompanied by a high temperature, tiredness and headache. The flu is more severe and symptoms develop quickly, which usually include a fever, severe aches and pains, and exhaustion.

The best way to fight off infection is to have a healthy lifestyle, eat a healthy diet, take regular exercise, get plenty of rest and follow good standards of hygiene.

Steps you can take to minimise the risk of catching or spreading colds and flu:

• Wash your hands frequently – cold and flu viruses can be passed from hands and other surfaces
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to avoid the spread of infections
• Use disposable tissues and dispose of them immediately, don’t leave used tissues lying around
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze to avoid spreading a virus
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu symptoms

Some general advice if you develop cold or flu-like symptoms:

• Drink plenty of water and warm fluids to avoid dehydration
• Keep warm and rest, avoid strenuous activity
• Treat pain, fever or discomfort with over the counter medicines and decongestants*
• Minimise contact with other people for the first few days to reduce the risk of spreading infection
• Tell a friend you’re feeling poorly and ask them to check on you in case you become more acutely ill

*if taking over the counter medicines, check with the pharmacist that they will not interact with any other medication you are taking. Make sure you don’t take more than the recommended dose.

Most people recover from normal flu within a week or so, although the cough and fatigue may last longer.

If you are still unwell after seven days, it may be an indication of something more serious and you may need to see a GP or call the NHS 111 helpline for advice.

It is important to make sure you are registered with a GP local to the University.

Covid-19

If you have symptoms for Covid-19, you are advised to stay at home and not to come on to campus.

If you test positive for Covid-19 - even if you are not showing any symptoms - you should stay at home and not come onto campus. Always follow the advice given by the NHS and further information can be found on NHS.UK - COVID-19 advice and services

The latest Government advice on what to do if you have Covid-19, and for close contacts who live with someone who has tested positive, can be found on GOV.UK - Guidance for People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19

What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19

Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms and either:

• Have a high temperature
• Do not feel well enough to go to attend university, go to work or do your normal activities

You can go back to normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature.

What to do if you have test positive

You are no longer required to do a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms. But if you have tested positive for COVID-19, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test. You should inform your tutor if you are unable to attend classes.

Human Papilloma Virus vaccine (HPV)

This vaccine reduces your risk of cervical cancer if you are a woman and also reduces the risk of other oral and genital cancers in both women and men. if you've never had it, and are under 25 years, read more by visiting NHS.UK - HPV vaccine

The JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) has advised that one dose is as effective as two doses for protection from HPV infection.

Anyone who received one dose of the vaccine before Sept 2023 will be considered fully vaccinated and doesn't need a booster. You can find the full guidance here: GOV.UK - HPV Booster Guidance

You can book a catch-up HPV vaccination at Student Health from November 2023. We give the Gardasil 9 vaccine.

Meningitis (ACWY)

Ideally you should get your Meningitis ACWY vaccination at least 2 weeks before starting at university so you are immune before coming to the University of Bedfordshire.

. Find out more about meningtis vaccination

Meningococcal disease is a rare but life threatening disease that occurs mainly in young children and young adults. The University of Bedfordshire would like to highlight to all students the importance of having a Meningitis vaccination to protect against the disease.

If you were born in the UK it is likely you had a Meningitis vaccination as a young child, but immunity to the disease decreases over time. We would encourage you to ask your GP (doctor) if you are up to date with this, and all immunisations, and to get boosters if necessary.

Find out more information about the Meningitis vaccination at NHS Choices

Measles and the MMR Vaccine

Public Health England (PHE) also recommends that students have up to date measles and mumps vaccinations. Check with your GP to find out your immunisation status. You may need the vaccination or a booster if you were vaccinated as a child.

Find out more at NHS Choices

The University works in partnership with local GP surgeries / GP practices to support your health needs. You will need to register with a local doctor (GP) when you come to University - do not leave this until you are unwell. We recommend you register with a GP during your induction week when representatives are on campus. Registration with any GP surgery is free but you can only register with one GP / Health Centre at any time.

Closest GP surgery to your campus

• Luton
  Castle Street Surgery, 39 Castle Street, Luton LU1 3AG
  T: 01582 729242
  castlestreetsurgeryluton.co.uk
  
  
• Bedford
  Goldington Avenue Surgery, 85 Goldington Avenue, Bedford MK40 3DB
  T: 01234 349531
  goldingtonavenuesurgery.co.uk
  
  
• Milton Keynes
  Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre, 68 Bradwell Common, Milton Keynes MK13 8RN
  T: 01908 605775
  cmkmc.co.uk

If you are registering with a GP surgery outside your local area you can use the NHS Find a GP Service

Dentist

• Once you have registered with a doctor's surgery, you can register with a dental practice
• NHS dental treatment is not completely free except for children and you will have to pay depending on what treatment you require.
• There are NHS and private dentists across Bedfordshire.
• Dental treatment can be expensive, so check costs in advance. Read more about NHS dental charges
• If you have a dental emergency, call 111 for advice or ask your dentist for an emergency appointment.

Optician

• Opticians will test your sight and examine the health of your eyes.
• Eye tests cost around £20-30.
• They can recommend glasses or contact lenses if needed.
• Opticians are also trained to recognise abnormalities and diseases that are revealed in the eye, such as diabetes and glaucoma.
• Local opticians

Pharmacy

Get medical advice and prescriptions for common medical problems from a pharmacist without needing to see a doctor or nurse.

• Pharmacists can help with common problems like emergency contraception (‘the morning after pill’), sore throats, colds and flu, hayfever and allergies.
• Pharmacists can help you decide if you need to see a doctor and give you advice about how you can look after yourself.
• You can talk to your pharmacist in confidence - even about personal symptoms - and you don’t need to make an appointment.
• Visit Pharmacy First for more information.

Alcohol and drugs can sometimes get out of hand and excess use can sometimes be a way of trying to self-medicate for mental health issues such as anxiety, past trauma or low mood. We are here to help, so please reach out to a member of staff and we can discuss how we can help you in getting support.

Drugs and alcohol help and information

• Young Minds information on drugs and alcohol: looking after yourself
• How to tell if you have a drinking problem
• Am I drinking too much? Alcohol calculator
  
• Frank Detailed and sensible information about drugs and their effects 0300 123 6600
• Club drugs. This webpage explains what club drugs are, their positive and negative effects and has a useful mini questionnaire.
• What are legal highs?
• What are the risks of ketamine?
• Think you might need some help with drugs or alcohol?
  Addiction is one of the UK’s leading mental health, drug and alcohol charities working with adults and young people
• Drink and drugs
  Expert articles like ‘How legit are DIY drug testing kits?’
• Information on drugs and alcohol and their effect on mental health
• What is addiction?
  This NHS page discusses addiction in general including other addictions like gaming or shopping and how it can affect you.

Path to Recovery P2R Bedford Borough

Drug and alcohol advice, treatment and support to adults whose lives are affected; support can include the whole family.

• 01234 352 220
• Path to Recovery on NHS.UK

ResoLUTiONs (Luton)

Free, friendly support for young people aged 25 and under, about drugs and alcohol.

• 08000 546 603
• resolutions.info@cgl.org.uk
• resolutions4luton.org

If you have had unprotected sex (without a condom), there's a chance you could have caught a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Arrange to get tested if you:

• haven't got symptoms, but are worried you might have an STI
• have symptoms, such as an unusual discharge
• feel something is wrong
• Pain when you pass urine
• Genital or rectal blisters or sores
• In women, bleeding between periods or after sex
• In men, pain around the testes

If you're sexually active, either stop having sex or make sure you use a condom until you get your test results and know for sure whether or not you have an STI.

If you do have an STI, using a condom will help prevent passing it on. Your sexual partners should also get tested.

You can get free, confidential advice and treatment from your GP or specialist clinics in your area, including if you're under 16.

Hospitals often have sexual health clinics (also known as GUM clinics), which test for and treat STIs.

There are also lots of places that are set up especially for young people.

Most STIs can be easily treated, so don't be scared of having a test and finding you do have an STI.

Find sexual health information and support services near you

Some non-sexually transmitted conditions such as thrush and bacterial vaginosis (BV) can also have similar symptoms.

Sexual Assault/ Rape

If someone has forced or persuaded you into a sexual situation you're uncomfortable with, help is available.

The University has zero tolerance of any forms of sexual violence or harassment, both in person and online. This includes (but is not limited to) stalking, sexual harassment, verbal abuse, drink spiking, physical harm, domestic abuse, revenge porn or rape. If you or someone you know experiences or is worried about any of these topics visit Support and Report

You can call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence.

You can also contact a sexual assault referral centre (SARC), where you can get specialist support and medical care if you have been sexually assaulted.

A sexual assault can happen anywhere, including in your home, and is more likely to be carried out by someone you know rather than a stranger.

Find rape and sexual assault support services, including SARCs.

You can also ask at your GP surgery, contraceptive clinic or sexual health clinic.

Find out more about help after rape and sexual assault, either for yourself or someone you know.

Additional Support

• British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) – provides advice and support about contraception, abortion and sexual health; call the helpline on 03457 30 40 30, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, Saturday and 9.30am to 2.30pm on Sunday or email info@bpas.org
• Brook – the young people's sexual health charity for under-25s provides advice, support and information about your nearest sexual health clinic
• FPA – provides information about individual methods of contraception, STIs, pregnancy choices, abortion and planning a pregnancy
• Switchboard: the LGBT+ helpline – provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans (transgender, transsexual, transvestite) people; call the helpline on 0300 330 0630, open 10am to 10pm daily
• Terrence Higgins Trust – provides information, support and advice about HIV and sexual health; call the helpline on 0808 802 1221, open 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday
• Emerald Centre Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provide free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people in Bedfordshire, including forensic medical examinations and access to specialist counselling support.
• Victim Support in Bedfordshire provide domestic abuse support services and have an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) based in Luton, Bedford and at Bedford Hospital. They also have a 24/7 Support line for support with all types of crime.

If you or people around you are worried that you have an unhealthy relationship with food, you could have an eating disorder.

Unhealthy eating behaviours may include eating too much or too little or worrying about your weight or body shape.

Anyone can get an eating disorder, but teenagers and young adults are mostly affected.

With treatment, most people can recover from an eating disorder.

Getting Support

If you think you may have an eating disorder, see a GP as soon as you can.

A GP will ask about your eating habits and how you're feeling, plus check your overall health and weight.

They may refer you to an eating disorder specialist or team of specialists.

There are a range of services available who can support you with advice and guidance relating to an eating disorder.

Beat Eating Disorders

Beat eating disorders is a specialist charity who have specially trained advisors who can offer specific, confidential support. You can contact them by calling the Beat helpline on 0808 801 0677 or visiting - Beat Eating Disorders.

They also have a dedicated support group called - The Nest

Caraline

Caraline is a Bedfordshire based charity that provides evidence-based therapeutic support for individuals living with eating disorders. They also offer support for those affected directly or indirectly by an eating disorder. You can find out more here - Caraline

• 01582 457 474
• admin@caraline.com