Dean of Students

Dean of Students (Welfare)

• How to Contact the Dean of Students Office
• Code of Conduct
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Office of the Dean of Students (Welfare)
• Illnesses requiring vigilance
• Representation
• Appeal a Fine
• Emergency Accommodation
• Cause for Concern Form
• Vice Warden Vacancies 2013

Illnesses requiring vigilance

Meningitis

Meningitis is a life-threatening disease. Knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis, and acting quickly to get medical help, can save lives.

THIS DISEASE CAN KILL IN HOURS IF NOT TREATED.

If you have been vacinated against meningitis you can still get the disease. If you think it's a bad dose of flu, a heavy hangover or drugs, DON'T just leave it.

Check out the symptoms - remember, meningitis vaccine can't prevent all strains of these disease. If you really feeling bad tell someone. If it gets worse rapidly, get a doctor's help immediately.

SYMPTOMS

Note that not eveyone gets all of these symptoms and that they can occur in any order

• Severe headaches
• Stiff neck
• Dislike of bright lights
• Fever
• Throwing up repeatedly
• Severe sleepiness or confusion
• Rash

The Meningitis Research Foundation (0800 8800 3344) and the Meningitis Trust (0800 028 1828) both provide 24 hour free helplines.

Mumps

Mumps is an infection caused by a virus. It usually starts with fever and headache for a day or two. In most cases this is followed by swelling and soreness of the glands between the ear and the jaw. Mumps virus can also cause other problems:

• Men's testicles can become swollen and painful.
• Women's ovaries may become swollen and painful.
• Ear infections, swelling of the pancreas and meningitis can also happen.

Mumps infection is usually more severe in adults than in young children. The length of time from becoming infected to feeling unwell is around 14-21 days. People with mumps are most infectious just before they become unwell, and for five to 10 days after.

If you are diagnosed with mumps, you should NOT come into college and attend lectures. Make sure that you ask your doctor for a letter, stating the recommended time of sick leave you need. Send this to your departmental tutor.

If you have family who can come and pick you up, then go home to recuperate. For many of you this option will not be practical so try to stay in your room as much as possible and avoid the social rooms and facilities in the residences (i.e. cluster rooms, common rooms etc).

If you are worried about the risk of infection make sure that you have your TWO MMR vaccinations. If you have never been vaccinated (or are unsure) or have only had one MMR vaccination, then go and see the nurse at Gower Place Practice at the earliest opportunity to get your vaccinations up to date.


More information:
http://www.gowerplacepractice.nhs.uk/
Department of Health (search for mumps)