Prevention is better than cure: How students can protect themselves from illness

In the first week, it is vital to register with a local GP. This is easy and either involves your child bringing their NHS card to the surgery or completing a form GMS1 - available at GP surgeries - stating that they have just moved into the area. Your child's college or university will be able to advise if there is a student health centre or which GP surgeries usually take students; they will be familiar with student health issues and have a dedicated nurse or counsellor. Surgeries often ask for a health questionnaire to be completed including a vaccination history. It is important not to wait until illness strikes, as seeing a GP without being registered can be difficulty, particularly if you are not feeling well.

Students often believe that because they are young and have been previously healthy that they will not get ill. If only this were the case! In my experience, many medical students particularly seem to believe that they have such an immunity. Before leaving for university, ensure your child is up to date with vaccinations including meningitis C, of which there is an increased incidence in student populations. Below you will find further advice for your child that is worth them reading before they head off to university.

Looking after yourself

It is important to achieve a good balance between study and recreation. University is an opportunity to learn about life as well as the particular course you are studying. Don't stay in your room the whole time; get out and involved with student life. It is an opportunity to develop good habits for the future: taking up a sport and so getting into regular exercise; eating a balanced diet and not just takeaways; and moulding moderate drinking habits rather than binge drinking, which may lead to problem drinking in later life, for example. Similarly, sleep and eat at regular times and work during daylight hours and not 3am in the morning. Working too hard may lead to stress and anxiety and sometime depression. In all these activities, pace yourself.

Health risks that students should be aware of

Infections are common in all age groups, but take precautions with vaccinations as mentioned earlier and also a flu vaccine if you suffer from illnesses such as asthma or diabetes. And, as mentioned, avoid binge drinking or severe intoxication, which can occasionally lead to losing consciousness and inhaling vomit.

Protecting yourself from illness

The old adage is that prevention is better than cure. To prevent food poisoning, make sure food is refrigerated and frozen food has been adequately cooked. If you are becoming stressed, most universities have good counselling services and personal tutors. Seek advice, talk to them and don't bottle it up. If you become involved in a sexual relationship, then it goes without saying that you should practise safe sex using condoms to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

For those going away from home for the first time, university may not live up to expectations and you may feel lonely or homesick. Where possible you should get involved in extracurricular activities and try and make a group of friends rather than just one. Equally, parents should resist the temptation to be overprotective by visiting every week and phoning every day, but say it's alright to let them know if they feel home sick or would like a visit or to come home for a weekend. When choosing a university, the distance from home should be a consideration, as even the student who strongly believes they will not have problems may feel differently in a new place and with new people. Accommodation should be chosen carefully with an environment likely to make it easy to make friendships.

If you fall ill

Don't hope it will go away. Consider ringing home and asking what you should do, as it could be serious and it is better to be safe than sorry. If in doubt, the university may have a nurse you can ask for advice or you can ring the GP surgery you are registered at and ask for advice and an appointment with a doctor. If you have an accident, go to the local hospital A&E department. Finally, tell someone if you want to take yourself to bed if you are feeling unwell so they can check later to see if you are alright or need help.

Dr Rodger Charlton is a GP and associate professor at Warwick Medical School