If you've not yet had your MMR vaccine NHS England are advising students to get protected against measles, mumps and rubella.
KeepÌýyourself healthy and look out for your friends asÌýall three of the diseases areÌýcontagious and spread in the same way as colds and flu. If you think that you have any of the following symptoms you'llÌýneed to see your GP to get a diagnosis, but it's advisable to ring first so that they can reduce the spread of infection:
- The initial symptoms of measles develop around 10 days after you're infected andÌýcan include cold-like symptoms,Ìýsore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light, a high temperature andÌýsmall greyish-white spots on the inside of the cheeksÌýfollowed byÌýa red-brown blotchy rash. For more information read theÌý.
- The symptoms for mumps include painful swelling under the ears, headaches, joint pain and a high temperature.ÌýFor more information read theÌý.Ìý
- The main symptom of rubella is a red or pink spotty rash whichÌýtakes 2 to 3 weeks to appear after getting rubella. For more information read theÌý.
If you haven’t yet been vaccinated, we encourage you to readÌýÌýadvice and book an appointment with your GP. You canÌýregister with theÌýÖ÷²¥ÓÕ»ó Medical CentreÌýon our Talbot Campus if you haven't yet organisedÌýa GP in Bournemouth.ÌýYou can also find out more information and advice about a range ofÌýcontagious (infectious) diseasesÌýthat can often occur when large groups of people live in close contact such as in halls of residence, including flu andÌýnorovirus.Ìý
Meningitis awareness
Students at university or collegeÌýcan be at risk of meningitis due to mixing with so many new people. It's important to be aware of the symptoms of meningitisÌýwhich can include fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet. Someone with meningitis can get a lot worse very quickly. Keep checking them. If someone is ill and getting worse, get medical help immediately. Find out more about the symptoms of and the .
If you ever think that you, or someone you know, has symptoms for any of these diseases, please call theÌý, your GP or theÌý. If you live in halls, you should also contact your accommodation provider to help minimise the illness from spreading.
If life is in danger, call the UK Emergency Services on 999 from your mobile or a landline.