They arrive like clockwork every September: college freshmen. I can see them in the waiting room, looking a little lost and too young to be there alone.

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How to get over a recent flu dose Nights out that led to intensive care

Starting college is a seismic change for teenagers. It’s not just about new schedules and lectures, it’s about learning that if the toilet paper runs out, there won’t be any more until they go to the store and buy it.

It’s also about learning to take care of your own physical and mental health.

As a GP and mother of three children (aged eight, 11 and 15, so not ready for university yet), the last thing I would say to another parent is to try not to worry, because of course you would. we make. I also wouldn’t advise anyone to be indifferent, because while we may be trying to be hands-off, a little sensible advice and assistance goes a long way.

So what do teenagers need to know?

The basics: get all vital vaccinations and find a new GP

My first piece of advice is: make sure they are up to date on ALL of their vaccinations. One in eight teenagers begins college without having received the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against four types of meningitis. It is routinely offered to 14-year-olds (in Year 9), but if you think your teenager might not have received it, talk to your GP.

How to get over a recent flu dose

When students reach their freshman year, there is often a wave of bugs, known collectively as freshmen flu.

For many teens, this is the first time they have to manage an illness on their own, so it can be daunting. But the advice is the same for any common respiratory viral illness: drink fluids, rest and use paracetamol if necessary.

Symptoms may include cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever. There is usually no need to worry and it will resolve itself after a few days. If symptoms worsen or include severe headaches or vomiting, cold hands and feet, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, or a rash that does not go away when pressed under a glass (known as a non-whitening rash), seek medical help. urgent. Always err on the side of caution.

Also check if they are up to date with all their booster vaccinations: the three-in-one for diphtheria, tetanus and polio, and the MMR vaccine for measles (the UK is experiencing an outbreak at the moment). mumps and rubella.

The HPV vaccine, which protects against the cancer-causing HPV virus, should also be given in year 9, but some children do not receive it. Again, talk to your GP about this. If your teen is gone, you can ask his or her new doctor about all of these vaccines.

This brings me to my next tip: get them registered with a local GP as soon as possible.

This is essential as it is key to accessing ongoing care from both hospital consultants and mental health teams. Now you will know where they will live, so all of this can be done online.

You can find a local GP by tapping “find a local GP” on Google. The biggest hit would have to be the GP search page on the NHS website, which allows you to search for practices by postcode. Most have a website that allows you to register, but it can also be done in person.

Your teen may need to visit the office anyway, for an initial evaluation, before he or she can start making appointments and receiving prescriptions.

The NHS app is also useful so you can view your medical history, search for blood test results and order repeat prescriptions if necessary.

I also recommend registering them with a local dentist and making sure to buy them a home first aid kit.

How to stay on top of long-term conditions

Many teens receive specialized care from a hospital team – this can be anything from asthma or diabetes care to inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or mental health treatments.

The best thing you can do, once registered with your new GP, is to make sure you mention this during the initial assessment. The doctor should then be able to refer you to a local team.

Meeting a new group of doctors can be overwhelming. There may be a temptation to keep your equipment at home, but it is very important to have easy access to check-ups, advice and support.

If your teen runs out of prescription medication, depending on what it is, a local pharmacy may be able to provide an emergency supply until you can fill a new prescription.

Difficult conversations to have

It is a reality that teenagers, if given the opportunity, experiment with drinking, sex and even drugs.

While I wouldn’t encourage a laissez-faire approach, being intransigent is likely to backfire. Make sure they know they can come to you or call you (at any time, if necessary) if something goes wrong.

And if you get a distress call, wait until the dust has settled before suggesting that drinking so much (or whatever) isn’t the best idea.

Open communication is key. Try to make conversations about topics such as contraception, consent, sexual health testing, alcohol and drug use a part of everyday life. Use news events or television shows as a springboard for conversations.

Parents often bring their teenage daughters to contraception appointments (almost always mothers and daughters). I recommend that you make sure you have stock of what you use.

They should know where the local sexual health clinic is and, if they are sexually active, get tested every three months or when there is a new partner. Some clinics hand out free condoms. Emergency contraception is available on prescription from your GP or sexual health clinic, and free of charge from many pharmacies.

In general, try to estimate how much help might still be needed. Some children can be left alone, while others will need to be texted daily to remind them to take their tablets.

Over time they will learn to do everything themselves. And while I don’t think you’ll ever stop worrying about your kids, maybe you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Nights out that led to intensive care

Sophia Spiers, 19, contracted fatal meningitis in March – seven months into her first year at the University of Manchester – which led to her spending a fortnight in intensive care.

“I celebrated my 19th birthday and went out a lot,” says Sophia, from Hertfordshire. “Maybe that’s how I caught it.”

The ordeal began when he woke up with a feeling of extreme pain throughout his body.

“I started to feel violently sick,” she says. “I thought it was just a stomach virus, but then I stopped being able to see or hear properly.”

Sophia Spiers, 19, contracted fatal meningitis in March – seven months into her first year at the University of Manchester – which led to her spending a fortnight in intensive care.

The next day, Sophia felt even worse and called her parents, who then called NHS 111. They advised her to go straight to A&E.

He was diagnosed with meningitis, a disease spread through close contact and one of the biggest health risks for young adults in their first year of college.

Although Sophia had been vaccinated against most strains, she had not received the meningitis B vaccine, as it was introduced for children in 2015. It is currently only available to teenagers or adults privately and costs up to £300.

“The infection damaged my hip joint and I also lost hearing in one ear,” says Sophia. ‘It could have been much worse. Other types of meningitis are more common, so if you haven’t received the vaccine against them, called the MenACWY vaccine, get it before college.’

For more information about meningitis, visit meningitisnow.org.