Staying Healthy.

Enjoy every minute of university life

Register with a doctor in Leeds
Illness
Alcohol
Sexual Health
Useful Contacts to help you stay healthy


Register with a doctor in Leeds

It is important to you do this and not wait until you need medical treatment. You can find a list of all the doctors in Leeds at the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx

Alternatively, you can register with Leeds Student Medical Practice which is a student-focused, modern practice very close to the University campus. It has expertise in dealing with all the common problems you might encounter and has a good relationship with university departments which is essential if illness interrupts your studies.

You can register with the Leeds Student Medical Practice online at www.leedsstudentmedicalpractice.co.uk/register or contact them at:

Leeds Student Medical Practice
4 Blenheim Court
Blenheim Walk
Leeds LS2 9AE
Tel: 0113 295 4488

Illness

Being in contact with loads of new people over the first few weeks of University your body will come into contact with lots of new germs and bugs. So colds and flu are quite common for new students.

If you end up feeling tired and run down try to get some rest and reduce your partying a bit to give your body a break. You will be busy over the first few weeks so at some point it will all catch up with you. If your not getting your rest, your immune system will be weak so make sure your looking after yourself.

However, if you think you or a friend has something more serious, here are some details of how to spot key signs of various illnesses associated with university life:

Meningitis - There are two types of meningitis: bacterial and viral. Bacterial Meningitis can be spread by close prolonged contact, coughing, sneezing or kissing. Viral meningitis may be spread through coughing, sneezing, poor hygiene or sewage polluted water.
There are a number of symptoms of meningitis but they can be difficult to identify as they are similar to flu symptoms. Symptoms appear over one to two days or in a matter of hours. Some of the symptoms which may occur include: high temperature, vomiting, sometimes diarrhoea, severe headache, neck stiffness (unable to touch chin to chest), aversion to bright light, sore throat, drowsiness, joint or muscle pains, stomach, cramps, fits, confusion, and disorientation. (Not all symptoms may be present and other symptoms may also occur).

Mumps - Mumps is normally a mild illness, there are a minority of cases when there can be severe complications, such as deafness and meningitis. Mumps is caused by a contagious virus which is transmitted through airborne droplets form the coughs and sneezes of infected people.
Symptoms include swelling of the glands and a raised temperature. Other symptoms may include: pain when chewing and swallowing, sore throat, fever, feeling tired, loss of appetite, mild tummy pain, dry mouth, and headache.
There is no cure for mumps; the body heals itself by producing antibodies to the virus. People with mumps should: drink plenty of cool fluids, especially water, avoid fruit juice because it stimulates saliva, which can be painful. Mild pain killers can help to reduce the pain and a warm flannel can sooth the swollen glands.

The Leeds Student Medical Practice offers a wide range of services for The University of Leeds students and can provide you with any medical advice you may need, for more information visit www.leeds.ac.uk/lsmp. The most common concerns regarding student health are the meningitis and mumps illnesses.

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Alcohol

"sip it don't sink it

LUU want you to enjoy your time at the Union. If you are drinking alcohol we want you to know the facts so you can drink (and enjoy yourself) safely.

The recommended safe limits of alcohol drinking are:

Units - One unit of alcohol is almost equal to:

One and a half a unit of alcohol is equal to:

Binge drinking is a growing problem nationally and can have some serious adverse effects on a person's health. Based on Government guidelines, binge drinking is defined as; ten or more drinks in one session or drinking over half the recommended units for a week in one session.

If you have any concerns about alcohol related problems you can call Nightline on 0113 3801381 (Listening Service) or 0113 3801380 (Information service) or visit www.unit1421.co.uk or www.portmangroup.co.uk for more information.

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Sexual Health

Enjoy your time at Leeds University, but always remember to be safe! Below are some details of some of the sexual health services in Leeds.

The Leeds Centre for Sexual Health is an outpatient clinic specialising in providing sexual health services. Everything you discuss with them is confidential and treatment is free of charge. They provide full screening tests for sexually transmitted infections and in many cases; the doctor will be able to give you a diagnosis at your first attendance. Sometimes treatment to make you better can start right away.
If you have sex without using contraception, you may be risking an unplanned pregnancy. The Leeds Centre for Sexual Health provides free pregnancy tests and family planning advice (including emergency contraception). If you are pregnant and unsure about whether you want to continue with the pregnancy, you can discuss your concerns with a health adviser.
The clinic is open Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). There is also an evening clinic once a week. You can make your own appointment to see a doctor, nurse or health adviser. (You do not need to be sent by your doctor or other agency). If you have an urgent problem it may be possible for you to be seen without an appointment after discussion with a health adviser.
For further information or to make an appointment contact the clinic at:
Sunnybank Wing,
Leeds General Infirmary (Opposite Millenium Square.)
Calverley Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX
Tel: (0113) 392 6725 female clinic
(0113) 392 6724 male clinic
(0113) 392 6058 health advisers

The Marketplace is a drop-in centre that offers information and support on a variety of issues affecting young people. They have a specific sexual health drop-in called Sex In The City. This drop-in services is open on a Friday from 4.00pm to 5:30pm Contraception and Sexual Health Services (NHS) run a Young Peoples Sexual Health Clinic. There is a nurse and a youth worker present in the clinic. They can offer several forms of contraception, chlamydia testing, pregnancy testing, direct-referrals for abortions and other sexual health support and information.
There is also a general drop-in at the Marketplace that can offer free condoms and pregnancy testing. The general drop-in services is open: Monday 10.00am to 2.00pm, Tuesday 3.00pm to 7.00pm, Wednesday 10.00am to 2.00pm, Thursday 1.00pm to 5.00pm, Friday 12noon to 4.00pm and Saturday 10.00am to 2.00pm.
Contact the Marketplace at:
28 Kirkgate (Opposite Kirkgate Market and next to the Old Oak Pub),
Leeds,
LS2 7DJ
Tel: (0113) 246 1659

Leeds Student Medical Practice (LSMP) offer support services and advice on STD screening, and you can talk to a doctor or nurse in confidence about sexual health, HIV, Hepatitis, STDs, contraception, health screening (cervical smears, breast checks and testicular examination), and sexuality.
Contact the LSMP at:
4 Blenheim Court,
Blenheim Walk,
Leeds,
LS2 9AE.
Tel: 0113 295 4488

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Useful Contacts to help you stay healthy:

Medical
Leeds Student Medical Practice: 0113 295 4488
Leeds General Infirmary: 0113 243 2799
NHS Direct: 0845 4647 (24hr medical advice and health information)
St. James's Hospital: 0113 243 3144
24hr Emergency Dentist: 0845 4647 (NHS Direct)

Counselling and Support
Alcoholics Anonymous: 0113 245 4567
Leeds Smoking Cessation Services: 0800 169 4219
Narcotics Anonymous: 020 7251 4007
Relate Leeds 0113 245 2595
Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90
Saneline: 0845 767 8000 (support and information about mental health problems)
STAR (Surviving Trauma After Rape) 01924 298954
University Student Counselling Service: 0113 343 4107
Victim support: 0113 293 0199

Mental Health
www.studentdepression.org/ - Student specific resources
www.mentalhealthleeds.info - Mental health resources in Leeds
www.mind.org.uk - Variety of downloadable mental health leaflets
www.nnt.nhs.uk/mh/ - Variety of downloadable self-help booklets

Others
Disability Information Advice: Line 0113 214 3630
Leeds North West Primary Care Trust 0113 305 7120
Police (emergency 999 / non-urgent 0845 6060606)
University Security (only for emergency response): 0113 34 32222
If your local pharmacy is closed, Boots Pharmacy in Leeds City Railway Station is open until midnight every day of the week to supply prescriptions. Please note, if you are buying over the counter (OTC) drugs, you may find prices vary considerably between pharmacies.
For emergencies such as loss of consciousness, severe chest pains, serious accidents or loss of blood: 999