Health and Wellness LibGuide

For useful information and tips regarding meningitis please Click Here to view a short video or go to www.meningitis.org.

'Speak Out' is an online and anonymous reporting platform for incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour/control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. Speak Out will help you to find relevant supports and highlight formal reporting procedures, should you wish to use them.

HSE database of over 600 medical conditions:-

www.hse.ie/eng/health/AZ/

www.askaboutalcohol.ie
www.oneyearnobeer.com/
Mid-West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum
www.drugs.ie
www.spunout.ie

HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline: 1800 459 459 / helpline@hse.ie

Information on addictive behaviours can also be found on Healthy UL

For information and tips on contraception and sexual health please click here to view a new podcast series launched in August 2022.

Additional useful information can be found on the links below.

www.thinkcontraception.ie
MyOptions-UnplannedPregrancy

The HSELive Coronavirus Helpline is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, Tel: 1800 700 700  or +353 1 240 8787

Reporting of a Positive Diagnosis
If you are unfortunate enough to test positive, please email COVID19Report@ul.ie as soon as possible with the date you were last on campus and when you were diagnosed. Only members of the University's Health and Safety team have access to this email in order to help monitor the number of COVID-19 incidences on campus. Your details may be used to initiate early contact tracing and the provision of health advice. Records will be deleted by UL after 30 days.

Useful Links

www.drugs.ie
www.spunout.ie
Mid-West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum

HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline: 1800 459 459 / helpline@hse.ie

Information is also available on Healthy UL

THE FLU - SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Symptoms

Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:

  • a sudden fever – a temperature of 38C or above
  • aching body
  • feeling tired or exhausted
  • dry, chesty cough
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • difficulty sleeping
  • loss of appetite

Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe.

Flu Cold
Appears quickly within a few hours Appears gradually
Affects more than just your nose and throat Affects mainly your nose and throat
Makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal Makes you feel unwell, but you're OK to carry on as normal (for example, go to work

How to treat flu yourself

To help you get better more quickly:

  • rest and sleep
  • keep warm
  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
  • drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)

A pharmacist can help with flu

A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies.

Be careful not to use them if you're taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets as it's easy to take more than the recommended dose.

See your GP if:

  • your symptoms don't improve after 7 days
  • you're worried about your child's symptoms
  • you're 65 or over
  • you're pregnant
  • you have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a heart, lung, kidney or neurological disease
  • you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV

GPs don't recommend antibiotics for flu because they won't relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.

How to avoid spreading the flu

Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You're more likely to give it to others in the first 5 days.

Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.

To reduce the risk of spreading flu:

  • wash your hands often with warm water and soap
  • use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
  • bin used tissues as quickly as possible
  • STAY AT HOME !!!!!!!!!!

HSE Measles Statement - 29.01.24
HSE Measles Information 
Measles cases require urgent notification - 24.01.2024
ECDC Measles Information Leaflet

If you have a specific concern about the measles vaccination, please ring the Student Health Centre to speak to a member of the medical team.

The Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service is the first point of contact for mental health needs. It is a free and confidential service

Information on Mental Health can also be found on Healthy UL.

 

If you think you may have mumps, PLEASE REMAIN AWAY FROM CAMPUS. If you would like advice regarding your symptoms, you may ring the Student Health Centre (061 202 534) or alternatively, you may attend a GP located off campus. Students should not attend college for five days following the onset of the swelling.

What is mumps?

Mumps is an acute viral disease. It is very infectious. Symptoms of mumps include a low-grade fever, headache and swelling or tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands in the cheeks, in front of and below the ear or at the jawline.

How is mumps spread?

Mumps is spread by direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from the mouth, nose, or throat, such as

  • coughing, sneezing, or talking
  • sharing items contaminated with saliva (water bottles or cups)
  • close contact activities with others (playing sports, dancing, or kissing)
  • touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus

Infectious Period

  • about 3 days before swelling of the salivary glands to approximately 5 days after

How to prevent spread

  • All students and young adults should ensure they have had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine (measles mumps rubella vaccine).
  • The Student Health Centre will provide a limited number of vaccines to those who have not had 2 doses as a child and wish to avail of it.  The vaccine is free and the only cost will be the doctor consultation fee of €25. Appointments can be made by telephoning 061 202 534. You will need to quote your PPS number. 
  • A person with mumps should limit their contact with others while infectious
  • Regular hand washing

Treatment that can be used to relieve symptoms include

  • Getting plenty of bed rest and fluids
  • Using painkillers such as paracetamol
  • Applying a warm or cool compress to the swollen glands to relieve pain

For more information please visit:-

 

www.positiveoptions.ie

www.crisispregnancy.ie

For useful information and tips on contraception and sexual health please click here to view a new podcast series launched in August 2022.

Please see links below for useful additional information.

Student Health Centre 

Tel: 00 353 (0) 61 202 534
Fax: 00 353 (0) 61 234 292
Email: Ria.Toland@ul.ie (for non booking enquiries)

Opening Hours

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Student Emergency Contact Protocol

Medical Emergency Response Procedure