Freshers Week is making a return this month for many new students who will be getting their first taste of university.

It’s a fun way to get out, meet new people and explore what the nightlife of the town or city you’ll be staying in is like.

This will also introduce a new concept to many which is Freshers’ Flu.

Freshers’ Flu is a concept for the barrage of illnesses that usually affect many students in their first few weeks at university.

It is not a separate illness itself, just an umbrella term for all of the colds that students may end up getting.

This usually comes from the late nights and increased drinking that weakens the immune systems of those out clubbing regularly during the Freshers Week events.

However, in current times where Covid cases are still on the rise, it’s important to differentiate which is which as some of the symptoms cross over.

Here’s a guide to what the symptoms are and how to get tested

What are the symptoms of Freshers’ Flu?

According to SavetheStudent.org common ailments picked up can include a fever, shivering, sneezing and a severe headache, which can cause a lot of discomfort.

Additionally, coughing and a sore throat is certainly possible which is where the danger lies in confusing it with having Covid instead.

This overlaps with Public Health England's list of Covid symptoms: being having a high temperature and/or a new continuous cough, which means coughing a lot for more than an hour or having three coughing episodes in the space of 24 hours.

Alongside this, the loss of taste and/or smell is also quite crucial to pointing out if you have Covid, as it doesn’t specifically overlap with Freshers’ Flu.

How do I get tested?

If you have some of the symptoms of Freshers Flu it would be safe to test for Covid using a lateral flow test.

You can order one of these through the NHS website.

Alternatively, you could ask someone to pick one up for you. Locations near you to find rapid lateral flow test can be found on the Government website here.

If you have the main symptoms of Covid, in the coughing, high temperature and loss of taste and smell, then order in a PCR test at the NHS website here.