There are a host of health complications (contagious as well as the ones acquired through bad lifestyle) to which students of schools and colleges are susceptible. Given below is a list and details of symptoms and treatment of the ten most common health problems faced by students. You, as an educator, can help lessen the severity of the problem in the beginning if you know about the condition of a particular health complication. Students at boarding schools in India.
Common Health Problems are:
1. The Common Cold
One of the most common health issues students face is Common Cold.
Following are the Symptoms of the common cold:
- Cough coupled with repeated sneezing
- An irritable and sore throat
- Blocked nose
Students get infected to be common cold either by cough or inhaling. Students catch a common cold when they inhale the germs spread by the sneezing of infected students or by touching the eyes and nose of an infected student. The best treatment for this minor ailment is to stay away from the students with running nose and to avoid any kind of contact with the disease-causing germs, wash hands repeatedly. In this way, you will get better within a few days.
2. Food Poisoning
The student who has either consumed uncovered or non-refrigerated food might show symptoms like Diarrhea and vomiting accompanied by fever with chills. Contaminated food can cause health disruption leading to unbearable headaches and body weakness. Infected students may also show symptoms like dehydration and abdominal cramps. Treatment to control this ailment is to avoid solid foods and dairy products as they may aggravate the disease. Also, the students bearing the brunt of consuming contaminated food should administer clear fluids.
3. Influenza (Flu)
It is commonly called as flu and is caused by the influenza virus. It is a mild to severe illness which affects the respiratory tract of the patient. During the flu season, i.e. between October and May, it is predominantly high.
Given below are the symptoms of flu:
- Headache with a high fever.
- Blocked or running nose
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Muscular aches
- Diarrhea, vomiting or nausea.
Germs of the flu are transmitted from the infected student by either coughing or sneezing. And the healthy student gets infected by coming in contact with the contaminated air.
Until the symptoms mentioned above subside completely, the infected students should stay away from the school as these conditions are highly contagious.
To limit or prevent the spread of flu, students should get flu vaccinations as we know that Prevention is better than cure.
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4. Sprains
A sprain damages one or more ligaments that make up a joint. Severe pain accompanied by inflammation is experienced by the student who sprains their legs, ankles, wrists or knees. This can happen while playing games in which student is unable to move their injured joints and is very painful. Some sprains require surgeries while some are not very alarming.
5. Bleeding Nose
Students who have dry nasal membranes may face common health issues, i.e. Nosebleeds. Nose picking ruptures the blood vessels inside if done frequently and causes the nose to bleed. Students who are susceptible to frequent colds and sinus issues or are on anti-allergic or decongestion medication experience nose bleeds. Nose-Picking should be avoided, and nasal passage should be adequately lubricated to prevent nosebleed. Another cause of nosebleed could be frequent blowing which should be avoided.
6. Meningitis
Meningitis is another in campus-health issue faced by students caused by bacteria or viruses. This disease infects the lining of the brain. This disease leads to a dangerous condition in which the mind of the patient begins to swell and in severe cases, ultimately leads to death. The following are the symptoms
- of meningitis
- chills accompanying high fever
- stiff neck or pain in the neck with headache
- sore throat
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Drowsiness
- Rashes
- Seizures
The medical help should be provided immediately to the student who exhibits three or more symptoms.
7. Strep Throat
The most common bacteria that thrive on the student’s skin is Strep. Strep throat disturbs the tonsils and the throat of the infected student. It is a bacterial infection and is highly contagious which spreads through the air by the sneezes, coughs and breathes of the infected person.
The symptoms of strep throat are:
- sudden and severe sore throat
- High fever
- swallowing pain
- Inflamed tonsils
- lymph nodes
- On the backside of a red and inflamed throat, there are visible yellow or white spots
8. Measles
Students catch this in-campus health complication even after getting its vaccination. Following is the list of symptoms of measles:
- feeling sick
- patchy red rashes all over the face and body
- Red eyes
- Intolerance or sensitivity to light
Calling a doctor for medical help is the first step of the treatment. If general body aches persist, administer fluids while taking tablets.
9. Chicken Pox
Some students might get infected by chickenpox during their childhood, and those who missed it in their early years may get affected now.
Given below are the symptoms of chickenpox :
- In the early stages, spots of 3mm are seen all over the body later, which grows to irritable blisters.
- scalp blisters
- High fever
- Affected palate causing pain during swallowing.
For fever and body pains, medicines can be given to the infected person. And to soothe the itching and burning sensation caused by blisters, the treatment includes the application of calamine lotion.
10. Mononucleosis (Mono)
Also known as Mono, is caused by the common human virus called Epstein Bar that becomes a problem faced by a common problem faced by college and school students. The symptoms of Mono are:
- Fever accompanied by a sore throat.
- Fatigue
- Inflamed lymph glands
The viral complication can also be detected by spleen or liver. This virus spreads through saliva, so infected students should be kept away from playing contact games. This condition rarely causes any health issues but lives in the patient’s body for life.
Conclusion
Educators should regularly assess the health of their wards. The above discussion about the various health problems and their symptoms and treatments can help in detecting the complications and taking timely actions. Also, the above description is a help to all the educational institutions and the school management in understanding the severity of the complications and providing first aid. By being watchful, the management of all the educational institutions can ensure the well-being of their wards as it is rightly said that it is better to be safe than to be sorry
