Student Wellbeing is here to help you to stay healthy and well while at university. We support healthy lifestyles through a range of services and activities on and off campus.
We work very closely with partners within and outside of the University to ensure your health and wellbeing needs are met while you are here, and to empower you to take control of your own health and wellbeing to be the best that you can be.
For information and advice on Coronavirus please see University advice and guidance.
Health and wellbeing services offer both in-person and online support. For general enquires about our services, please contact studentlife@tees.ac.uk.
The NHS is the UK's state health service which provides treatment for UK residents through a wide range of health care services. Some services are free and some have to be paid for.
Measles is potentially a very serious illness which can on rare occasions be fatal. It is highly infectious and is spread through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The viral illness begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. This is followed with a rash that starts on the face and upper neck a few days later, and then spreads down the upper body, extending to the arms, hands, legs and feet.
There is no treatment for measles but it can be prevented by the safe and highly effective MMR vaccine and two doses are required to ensure the best protection.
The majority of cases (confirmed and suspected) in the North East are in unvaccinated school children and young adults.
To prevent spreading the illness, the Health Protection Agency is advising people with symptoms of measles to:
The Health Protection Agency says it is incredibly important to remember that measles isn't a harmless childhood disease and why we're urging people to check they are fully immunised and had both doses of the MMR vaccine.
If anyone has missed out on MMR in the past it's always possible to catch-up as the vaccine can be given at any age. Just contact your local GP.
Anyone who is concerned should contact their GP or NHS 111 in the first instance.
Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges - the lining surrounding the brain. Anyone can get meningitis but students are one of the groups most at risk because of the closeness of student accommodation.
If you or someone you know is ill and you suspect it's meningitis or septicaemia, get medical help immediately by contacting your GP or NHS 111. In an emergency dial 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency department.
Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and swollen painful glands. It's spread by coughs and sneezes. More rarely it can cause complications such as inflammation of the ovaries, testicles and pancreas.
If you have any symptoms which may include: swollen glands, headaches, joint pain, high temperature you should contact your GP or call NHS 111 and avoid contact with others.
Mumps is most recognisable by the painful swellings in the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands), giving a person with mumps a distinctive 'hamster face' appearance.
It is important to contact your GP if you suspect mumps so a diagnosis can be made.
While mumps is not usually serious, the condition has similar symptoms to more serious types of infection such as glandular fever and tonsillitis.
Your GP can usually make a diagnosis after seeing and feeling the swelling, looking at the position of the tonsils in the mouth and checking the person's temperature to see if it's higher than normal.
Let your GP know in advance if you are coming to the surgery so they can take any necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection.
If your GP suspects mumps, they will notify your local health protection team (HPT).
A person is most contagious a few days before the symptoms develop and for a few days afterwards.
During this time, it's important to prevent the infection spreading to others, particularly teenagers and young adults who have not been vaccinated.
If you have mumps you can help prevent it spreading by:
If you have any concerns regarding your immunity, please contact your GP to check your MMR vaccination status.
If you are between 18 and 25 ypou may have only had one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. You need two doses to be properly immunised. Make an appointment with a GP for another vaccination if necessary.
As soon as possible, after you receive a diagnosis of mumps, please email studentwellbeing@tees.ac.uk to let us know the date of your diagnosis. A member of the student wellbeing team will then get in touch. We can help with liaison with your school as well.
Stay away from University for the recommended amount of time, following onset of symptoms, or as directed by your GP.
The University has a No Smoking Policy which supports the aim of a smoke-free campus, The policy aims to provide a healthy working environment and protect the health of employees, students and visitors to the University by raising awareness of the dangers associated with exposure to tobacco smoke. The No Smoking Policy states:
Smoking is prohibited in the following locations:
The preparation of smoking material in public areas within buildings is also prohibited.
Vaping is prohibited in the following locations:
There are services available if you wish to stop smoking, either through your GP, local pharmacy, community drop-in or helpline.
Drinking alcohol is part of student culture, but we just want to make sure you are safe when you are out drinking. If you are going to be drinking, leave the car at home. Try and have two alcohol free days each week. Stay well hydrated, a good way is to alternate an alcoholic drink with a soft drink.
Anyone with concerns regarding drug and/or alcohol use or feeling under pressure from friends to try drugs or alcohol can seek advice from Change Grow Live (CGL), based in the Live Well Centre, Dundas House, Middlesbrough.
If you are currently in recovery, Teesside University is a recovery friendly campus. There are weekly drop in meetings on campus. Contact Recovery Connections for more information, info@recoveryconnections.org.uk or 07949 034820.
Everyone deals with pressure differently, but we're here to help. Check out our list of simple things you can do to help stay healthy and well during your time at university - and beyond.
Long Covid is a new condition and more is being learned about it every day. It is affecting people in many different ways. As a result, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance which adopts a 'living' approach in order to reflect the evolving evidence-base. Here at Teesside University we are developing a new service to support students experiencing the ongoing effects of having had Covid19. The service currently offers Teams chats with a student wellbeing adviser and aims to meet the individual needs of students including health, lifestyle and study. The service will develop over time as we learn more about Long Covid and the diverse needs of our students accessing it.
For general health and well-being related queries and how to access advice on alcohol use, smoking cessation, contraception - including emergency contraception, sexual health issues and dental treatment.
T: 01642 342277
E:
studentlife@tees.ac.uk
In person: Student Life
Student Life opening hours
Monday - Friday: 8.00am - 6.00pm