How to stay healthy at uni: your guide to boosting your immune system, meningitis, and what to do if you think you’re ill.

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Meeting new people introduces new bacteria into our immune systems, hence the joy that is ‘freshers flu’. Your immune system is the network which blocks these germs from invading your cells. You can’t control it, but you can help give it a fighting chance, and here’s how:

1) Eating safely and nutritiously

Eating well can be hard, even adding frozen veg (only £1.19 at our favourite Morrisons) when cooking pasta can do a lot of good.

Here’s some of my favourite cheap, easy freezable meals:

Vegetarian bolognaise: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/vegetarian-bolognese

Sweet potato curry: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/satay-sweet-potato-curry

Butternut squash soup: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/butternut-squash-soup-chilli-creme-fraiche

2) Drinking well

Unfortunately, I’m not advising you to hit Cosy Joes for your daily hydration… Make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day, and be aware any alcohol will weaken your immune system.

(As for smoking: bacteria is shared through saliva. Just like you don’t let people cough into your mouth, don’t share cigarettes or vapes.)

3) Sleeping

Sleep lets your body recover. Try to arrange a regular sleep schedule with less screen time and earlier nights. I recommend audiobooks to help drifting off, namely ‘Strong Female Character’ by comic Fern Brady.

4) Hygiene

It’s taught because it’s true: wash your hands with soap, catch coughs and sneezes and wipe down communal areas.

Additionally, practise safe sex. Free condoms are available from the NHS walk-in next to campus, (8am-10pm). For more information read here!

5) Moving your body

Try joining the free parkrun (or walk) in Endcliffe park or playing catch in the park with your friends to boost blood flow, allowing immune cells to combat infections faster.

Meningitis

Check your vaccination history, by contacting your GP.

Be aware of symptoms, including:

- Fever

- Vomiting

- Headache

- Rash that does not fade under a glass

- Stiff neck

- Sensitivity to bright lights

- Extreme tiredness

If you’re concerned, request an urgent appointment from the University Health Service before midday. After, call +44 114 222 2100.

Call NHS 111 for advice. In an emergency dial 999, or go to A&E.

Help yourself by giving your body the tools it needs to protect itself, and most importantly: look out for each other! We’re all students together, sharing this experience and all the germs that come with it.

Edited by: Georgia Cook