Staying healthy this winter

Staying well

To help you stay well and protected this season we're sharing some top tips and helpful resources.

• To avoid the spreading of germs, wash your hands often and well with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol-based hand gel. Remember to cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• If you’re living with housemates then avoid sharing personal items such as towels and face-cloths.
• If you start to feel unwell then you should avoid coming onto campus or going to any social gatherings. Try to stay at home and reduce your time with others. 
• If your symptoms persist or worsen you should get medical help and the first point of call is to speak to your GP (General Practitioner - Doctor). Make sure you register with a practice close to where you spend most of your time, likely to be your term-time address. For more information on how to do this see registering with a doctor. 

Free out of hours

• The NHS offer free out of hours advice to anyone who has a concern about any health-related matter. To get medical help:
  - Call NHS Direct (111 from any phone device)
  - Visit 111 online
  - Drop by your local walk-in centre (the closest to campus is the QE Hospital Hub) or see list of NHS walk-in vaccination sites.

Vaccines

• It's always good to check your vaccinations are up to date. For more information on what vaccines you’re encouraged to get including meningitis, MMR, HPV, Monkeypox and more visit vaccinations.
• If you're concerned about common infectious diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella you can find out more about the signs, symptoms and vaccines available on prevention of infectious diseases.
• With the rise of Covid-19 cases you are encouraged to get your free vaccines. In the UK, anybody who is aged 18 or over is eligible. If you’re not already fully vaccinated, you can receive a first, second or booster doses of the vaccine through the UK National Health Service (NHS).
• For up to date covid-safe advice visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) - NHS.

Taking care of yourself

For more resources on how you can take care of yourself this winter from eating a well-balanced diet to ways to get active in your local area, visit our taking care of yourself intranet page.