If you spend more weeks of the year at your university address than your family / home address, you need to register with a GP near your university as soon as possible. That way you can receive emergency care if you need it, and access health services quickly and easily while you're away. This is especially important if you have an ongoing health condition, particularly one that needs medicine, such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy.

You can choose to register with any local GP. The GP surgery located at the  university may be the most convenient, and the doctors working there are experienced in the health needs of students. Find out how to register with a GP surgery. 

If you commute in to campus then we advise that you remain registered with your home GP. 

Know where to get health advice when you need it - both contacting your GP surgery and knowing how to get medical help outside of their opening hours. 

If you become unwell or need other medical treatment when you're at home or not staying near your university GP, you can contact your nearest practice to ask for treatment.

You can receive emergency treatment for 14 days. After that you will have to register as a temporary resident or permanent patient.

Find out how to see a GP if you’re away from home

You can also visit an NHS urgent treatment centre, which can provide treatment for minor injuries or illnesses such as cuts, bruises and rashes.

However, they are not designed for treating long-term conditions or life-threatening problems. You do not need an appointment and you do not need to be registered.

Have a medical and first aid kit in your hall room or home. This should include plasters, headache tablets and standard cold or flu remedies such as paracetamol or Ibupfoten.  There are a large number of over the counter remedies available from the pharmacist but by and large these are expensive and have not been shown to be significantly better at relieving symptoms than the cheaper options.

Help each other - get to know your flatmates / housemates and agree to support each other if you are unwell - for example by collecting prescriptions or food supplies for each other.

Outbreaks of colds and flu tend to peak during the autumn and winter. 

Cold symptoms come on gradually and can include:

• a blocked or runny nose
• a sore throat
• headaches
• muscle aches
• coughs
• sneezing
• a raised temperature
• pressure in your ears and face
• loss of taste and smell
• general weakness requring bed rest. 

To help you get better more quickly you should rest and sleep, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and adults can gargel salt water to soothe a sore throat. 

If you have a symptoms or illness which may be contagious, or a high temperature, or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better. If you can not attend lectures please record your absence in the usual way to minimise risk of transmission to others.

 

COVID-19 remains an illness in circulation and we should all remain alert to it and take steps to minimise transmission wherever possible.

COVID-19 symptoms can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) (a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature))
• a new, continuous cough (this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick

The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu, so do consider taking a covid test if you expereince these symptoms. Most people feel better within a few days or weeks of their first COVID-19 symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks. For some people - for exmaple those with weakened immune systems or serious medical conditions - it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer and even lead to hospitalisation.

For most people you can look after yourself at home if you have symptoms or have tested positve for COVID-19. The NHS advise that you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms and either (i) have a high temperature or (ii) do not feel well enough to go to university or do your normal activities. You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature.

If you have symptoms or test positive for COVID and can not attend lectures please record your absence in the usual way to minimise risk of transmission to others.

If you have tested positive the NHS say you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years or over. You should also avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from virusus, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test.

To avoid catching and spreading COVID-19 the NHS advice is

• Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you can.
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day, especially after you cough, sneeze or blow your nose, and before you eat or handle food.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (and encourage children to do this if you have them)
• Regularly clean surfaces you touch often (such as door handles and remote controls) and in shared spaces, such as kitchens or bathrooms in halls or share housing.
• Think about wearing a face covering that fits snugly against your face and has more than 1 layer if you're in close contact with other people, or in crowded place

 

Get any vaccinations you need before you arrive at Royal Holloway. See below for the recommended vaccinations to keep you healthy and safe.

If you are taking regular medication, including oral contraceptives, you should bring sufficient supplies to last for at least two months. If you're an international student please also bring full details of all medicines (noting that some medications might not be available in the UK).

MenACWY vaccine

Students coming to university for the first time are eligible for a vaccine to prevent meningitis.

The MenACWY vaccine protects against 4 different strains of meningitis and septicaemia: meningococcal (Men) A, C, W and Y diseases.

If you're a student going away to university or college for the first time, you should make sure you've already had the MenACWY vaccine. You can ask your GP for this vaccine until your 25th birthday. It's best to have it before the start of the academic year.

This is because you'll be at particularly high risk in the first weeks of term, when you're likely to come into contact with many new people.

Measle, mumps and rubella vaccine

We also advise students to be immunised against measles, mumps and rubella before starting their studies.

The MMR vaccine (for measles, mumps and rubella) is part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation schedule. This means most young people who've grown up in England will have had 2 doses of it in childhood.

If you're not sure you've had 2 doses of the MMR vaccination, check with your GP to see if you're up to date. If you have not yet had 2 doses you can still ask your GP for the vaccine.

HPV vaccine

If you're eligible for the HPV vaccine, it’s important you’ve had 2 doses. It helps protect against genital warts and cancers caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), such as cervical cancer. If you missed either of your HPV vaccines at school, you can still ask your GP for this vaccine until your 25th birthday.

Flu vaccine 

Get an annual flu vaccine if you have asthma and need a steroid inhaler or tablets. You should also get a flu vaccine if you have kidney disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease or other serious long-term conditions. 

Covid vaccine 

If you are eligible for a Covid vaccine we encourage you to take this up when you are contacted by the NHS.  Currently (Autumn 2023) those who are eligible for a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine are people who are aged 65 years or over, aged 6 months to 64 years and are at increased risk, living in a care home for older adults, frontline health or social care workers, carers aged between 16 - 64 years, people between 12-64 years who live with someone with a weakened immune system 

 Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it.  Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later.  You may also get small spots in your month.  The first symptoms of measles are:

• a high temperature
• a runny or blocked nose
• sneezing
• a cough
• red, sore, watery eyes

The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the safest and most effective protection against measles.  Two doses of the MMR vaccine offers protection for life against measles, mumps and rubella,  

Are you protected?

If you're not sure, contact your GP to book catch up vaccinations.  You can find more information here. 

 

 

University students can be more vulnerable to infections because they live together in close social contact in halls of residence or communal housing. Students often come together from all over the world to live in one place, and so can be exposed to bacteria and viruses they have not come across before.  

Meningitis and associated septicaemia are rare, but are very serious conditions that you need to be alert to and to take action straight away if you, or anyone else, are showing signs and symptoms.(With thanks to Meningitis Now)

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, which protect and surround the brain and spinal cord.  It is caused by a number of viruses and bacteria.  Whilst it can affect anyone at any time, there are particular risk factors that increase the possibility of meningitis in students - especially those in their first year.

The Men ACWY vaccine

It protects against disease caused by four of the main groups of meningoccal bacteria - A, C, W and Y.  The vaccine is offered to first year university students under the age of 25 - your GP can advise on eligibility.  It is advisable to get this at least two weeks before arrival at university.  Remember, no vaccine will offer complete protection from meningitis so vigilance is vital. 

What are the signs and symptoms?

Knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, remaining vigilant and getting medical help quickly can save lives.  Meningitis symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all.  Early signs of meningitis can include:

• fever
• headache
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• muscle pain
• stomach cramps
• fever with cold hands and feet

Each resident in halls will receive a signs and symptoms card in their room welcome pack and all students can pick one up from Wellbeing in Founder's Building.  You can also download a card from the Meningitis Now website.   

The university is proud to hold a Meningitis Aware Recognition Mark.

Even if you do not plan to be sexually active while studying, it's good to be prepared.

Contraception and condoms are free for everyone from any GP – it does not have to be your own – or family planning clinic.

Find your local sexual health service

Dental problems cannot be dealt with by doctors, so make sure you register with a local dentist.

Not all treatment is free, even under the NHS. You may be able to apply for help with health costs, including prescriptions and dental care.

Find an NHS dentist

Get help with dental costs

You'll greatly increase your chances of keeping healthy by taking care of yourself.  Keeping physically active, getting enough sleep and eating well will mean you have a better chance of staying healthy. You'll feel more energetic and be better equipped to cope with studying and exams and getting run down makes you vulnerable to Flu and other minor  illnesses. 

Eating well does not have to cost a lot and is often cheaper than takeaways. Taking the time to cook simple meals instead of eating out or buying ready meals is also healthier and you should aim to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. You might want to try downloading the free One You Easy Meals app – available on the App Store and Google Play.

All GP surgeries have good links with specialists, such as psychiatrists, sports physicians, psychotherapists, and physiotherapists.

Having trouble getting an appointment? You can also always ask your local pharmacist for medical advice and support.

They may not be at the pharmacy counter when you go in, so ask the person at the counter if you can speak to the pharmacist.