If you've not yet had your MMR vaccine NHS England are advising students to get protected against measles, mumps and rubella.
Keep yourself healthy and look out for your friends as all three of the diseases are contagious and spread in the same way as colds and flu. If you think that you have any of the following symptoms you'll need 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 and can include cold-like symptoms, sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light, a high temperature and small greyish-white spots on the inside of the cheeks followed by a red-brown blotchy rash. For more information read the NHS advice on measles.
- The symptoms for mumps include painful swelling under the ears, headaches, joint pain and a high temperature. For more information read the NHS advice on mumps.
- The main symptom of rubella is a red or pink spotty rash which takes 2 to 3 weeks to appear after getting rubella. For more information read the NHS advice on rubella.
If you haven’t yet been vaccinated, we encourage you to read Public Health England’s advice and book an appointment with your GP. You can register with the BU Medical Centre on our Talbot Campus if you haven't yet organised a GP in Bournemouth. You can also find out more information and advice about a range of contagious (infectious) diseases that can often occur when large groups of people live in close contact such as in halls of residence, including flu and norovirus.
Meningitis awareness
Students at university or college can be at risk of meningitis due to mixing with so many new people. It's important to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis which 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 meningitis and the MenACWY vaccine.
If you ever think that you, or someone you know, has symptoms for any of these diseases, please call the BU Medical Centre, your GP or the NHS. 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.
