Spread through a virus carried in airborne droplets, this disease is on the rise especially among the 16-25 year old age group. Those in higher and further education, especially those in university residences and sharing accommodation, are especially at risk. In rare cases, men may become infertile after contracting mumps.

Symptoms:
headache, lethargy and swelling of the salivary glands (cheeks/side of the jaw). Some men will develop swelling of the testes.

What to Do:
To avoid mumps everyone under 25 should ensure they have had at least 2 doses of MMR vaccine. See your GP.

If you experience the symptoms of mumps, stay off university for at least 10 days. Also, as the disease can also affect foetuses, minimise contact with pregnant women.

Meningitis and septicimia are potential killer diseases. If contracted, they can advance very quickly. The incidence of these diseases has more than doubled among young adults in recent years. They are spread through intimate contact, like kissing. First year students and people under 25 can get immunised against some forms of meningitis. Check this out with your GP.

As many students are part of the “at risk” group, you need to know how to recognise the signs in one another and take swift action to get help.

Symptoms:
You don’t need to show signs of all these symptoms, but here are some of them: severe headache, unexplained drowsiness, tiny pin-prick rash turning quite quickly into purple bruises or blood blisters, stiff neck, vomiting, fever or flu-like symptoms, dislike of bright lights, rapid breathing, cold hands and feet, feeling as if you’ve got a bad hangover or are coming off drugs.

What to Do:
Do not go to bed to sleep it off – this could be fatal.
You need urgent medical help.
Tell someone – maybe a flatmate or colleague- and ask for help.
Never leave a flat-mate or friend with what look like the symptoms of meningitis or septicimia. S/he might need you to summon medical assistance.