Daughter sick in Uni, need some advice please

[gemandjule]

Thanks in advance for advice. My daughter has just started Uni in Scotland. We are not fromUK so she has no experience of NHS. She hasn't registered with a GP yet. She tested me this am to say she's feeling sick with a headache and pain over her frontal sinus. She also has nasal congestion and her temp is 37.8 3 hours after paracetamol.
To complicate matters further she has a history of significant frontal sinus infection 3 years ago for which she was an inpatient for 5 days on IV antibiotics and had a total of 3 weeks of antibiotics and steroids so the usual advice of keep taking paracetemol and decongestants and rest may not apply and obviously there is also the Covod issue. I don't know what the testing criteria in Scotland are or how to ho about getting tested if she meets them
So a few questions. How can she get assessed to see if she needs antibiotics when she is not registered with a GP yet? and does anyone know if she meets the testing criteria in Scotland and is so how to get tested?
I know she should be sorting this out herself but she's a long way from home and feeling rotton so no judgement please!

Also thank for the tip @newtb, I'll get her to get those in for the next time

The links I posted are Scottish links. The gp one was one that you’d be directed to from Edinburgh university website.

Each university should have a Covid-19 testing policy and procedure, it will be on the website somewhere, and will let them know what's going on as well as tell you where and how to access tests.

There will be information on the university medical centre as well, you can usually register online and then book to see a GP/have a phone triage.

All this information should be on their websites, and phone student support services if you are getting stuck.

Thank you so much @celtiethree, sorry I missed those the first time I read through, they are very helpful
Unfortunately the GP practice recommended by the university website is saying she needs to register in persona nd needs to be registered from2 days prior to accessing their services

Has she told them she can't Register in person?

A high temperature is over 37.5 usually and covid is 37.8. A temperature over 38 is when the bodies enzymes can begin to break down. Your daughter should be able to contact 111 at any time for advice or a campus GP

If she is living in student halls tell her to text her residential support advisor who lives in the halls with them. She will be able to find the number on the hall's website and on posters around the halls. They will tell her what to do and help her.

Thanks again everyone. She is in student halls. I’ve texted again to see what’s happening with her temperature but no answer. I know she was planning to go to sleep and see how she felt when she wakes up. She slept very badly last night so we’ll see later on.

If she is an international student, then the international office at the uni will be happy to offer help and advice.

@emilyfrost

Covid temp is actually above 37.7, please get it right if you’re going to post online.

I would suggest she calls 111

Thanks @gavisconismyfriend. I’ll suggest that to her tomorrow. She is an international student

OverTheRainbow88 From the NHS website:

What is a high temperature?

Normal body temperature is different for everyone and changes during the day.

A temperature of 38C or more is usually considered a high temperature (fever).

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/how-do-i-take-someones-temperature/

Please get it right if you’re going to post online

"Symptoms of coronavirus
The most common symptoms are new:

continuous cough
fever/high temperature (37.8C or greater)
loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia)"

This is from the NHS covid page. So overtherainbow is right.

studylink.com/articles/healthcare-uk-international-students/

Well the discussion re 37.8 is somewhat moot as it’s 38.7 this morning.
She had improved last night but miserable again now

Can you try contacting the university? Which one is it, maybe we can help find a number?

No one there will want a student being incredibly sick and scared alone in their bedroom.

I’ve looked on line and the student support office opens at 9. She’s actually very competent and while feeling miserable doesn’t seem scared at all. It’s just tough trying to negotiate a system that you’re not familiar with 10 days after you arrive in a new country when you’re sick and potentially now have to self isolate and organise a COVID test too! The advice and support is really useful so thanks to everyone for that.
The comments that she just has a cold and the implication to stop fussing are maybe less useful but such is life. She’s the youngest of 4 and I passed the point of fussing about head colds 25 years ago

@gemandjule

Thanks *@ALLISON*, i might ask to get it moved there. I was keen to get some quick responses which was why I put it here but as you say there are different systems between England and Scotland. I an reluctant to mention the Uni in case it causes hysteria ( as I say, I am more worried about her sinuses than COVID) but it's in Edinbugh *@bumblingbovine49*. Thanks, I'll get her to try and call the health centre

It will not cause hysteria. All three universities in Edinburgh and are huge with thousands of students.

There’s a drive through testing centre at Edinburgh airport if she or or one of her friends / flat mates have a car. It’s not far out the city and very near if shes at Herriot watt.

Or she can book a test through the post. It’s easy and fast to access a tests here.

If she needs antibiotics then her GP will probably prescribe them over the phone given her history.

Once she has a negative test back she doesnt need to self isolate and can access face to face health care.

I hope the uni accommodation office were helpful.

The university have detailed protocols for this in place and they will be keen to help her. It’s just a question of finding out the right information.

You can call student services yourself too, even though she an adult. They will tell you how your DD can access help.

You won’t be the first parent of a fresher they have spoken too.

Thanks again @ALLIS0N. Just in from work. She texted the student support person this morning. It took a few hours to hear back but she’s just back from getting the test done now however it was organized. Still no luck with the GP. Unable to get through to anyone... just voicemail re volume of work. She’s been onto 111 though and I think she’s getting a call back tomorrow them later. Temp stubbornly over 38 all day 😢😢

Op are you on Facebook? I suggest joining the WIWIKAU (what I wish I knew about university), friendly helpful group of parents all looking out for each other,. Some parents may be in the city your daughter is in and can offer assistance directly.

Once she has the text with the test result she can attend the hospital minor injuries clinic and they can give her antibiotics if she needs them.

They are at the Western General hospital and Royal infirmary and are open 24/7.

services.nhslothian.scot/Emergencies/Pages/MinorInjuryUnit.aspx

She can also use the minor ailment service at pharmacies if she is still under 19

services.nhslothian.scot/Emergencies/Pages/MinorAilments.aspx

Can she see a GP privately ? Wondering if she’s just arrived in Scotland if she is covered by travel insurance still ? Your dd would definitely qualify for a Covid test where I live - I would be surprised if given her symptoms and residential circumstances she wasn’t tested. Is there someone who is designated to look after international students at her uni - I have 2 children studying internationally and their Unis provide this service (uk & usa). Can imagine how worrying this is for you, especially with past history. I hope she can see someone soon.

Back to update with good news and bad news.

Good news is her temp has settled and she's feeling a lot better other than a sore throat and blocked left nostril

Bad news is her COVID test came back positive!! I can't believe it. I really thought it was her sinuses acting up. Still has absolutely no cough/shortness of breath/change in taste or smell, her symptoms were nasal congestion, headache, sore throat and high fever for 24 hours

Anyway main thing is she seems to be feeling ok. Obviosuly quite fed up at the prospect of spending 10 days in her room and that is tough when she's a long way from home

That must be really scary for you OP. At least it sounds like she's having a "mild" case. Are the uni supporting her?