Antibiotics handed out at Kent after a meningitis outbreak
Two students have died and several have been hospitalised in a meningococcal outbreak at the University of Kent, with students queuing at Senate House for face masks and antibiotics, and investigators examining a possible link to a nightclub. Meningococcal disease moves fast: the symptoms to act on are a severe headache with fever, neck stiffness, dislike of light, and a rash that does not fade under a glass. The outbreak has been confirmed as meningitis B, which the MenACWY vaccine given to teenagers does not protect against — so being vaccinated at school is not a reason to dismiss symptoms.
The interest nobody mentions when you sign
A student piece on the part of the loan system that surprises graduates: interest accruing from the first term, on a balance that keeps growing while repayments are made, so that many will repay more than they borrowed and still never clear it. The mechanics are not hidden, but they are not explained at the point of signing either. Student finance explained covers them.
A St Patrick’s Day that does not involve drinking
A list of alcohol-free ways to spend 17 March in a student city, which is a harder search than it should be on that particular date. Worth having if you are sober, driving, on medication, or simply out of money before the end of term. Socialising without alcohol covers the rest of the year.