Mum’s plea to students: Get vaxxed

l A HEARTBROKEN mother is urging young people across the North West to have a potentially life-saving vaccination l Meningococcal disease can cause serious illnesses, including meningitis and septiceemia, which can be deadly and require urgent treatment l University student Teygan had everything to live for His mum, Ailsa, describes her devastating loss

TEYGAN was 19 when he went to Manchester University to study Russian. The middle child of three and the first to go to uni, he was very excited

He soon made friends in his halls We would have short text messages and phone calls to reassure us he was happy, settling into student life and coping with his course

Although there were no general concerns health-wise, he did have a cough, which was noticeable when he spoke on the phone

This seemed to persist for a few weeks but never seemed to bother him much

Whenever I brought attention to it, he would say ‘well mum, everyone has a cough!’ and I

Medical Notes

“The participants living with HIV essentially experience the one-hour disruption associated with switching to daylight savings time – but every single morning,” said Professor Malcolm von Schantz, professor of chronobiology at Northumbria University

“This happens in spite of the fact that essentially everybody is exposed to the same light-dark cycle Our findings have important potential implications for the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV ”

Ancient viruses key to future treatments

ANCIENT viruses could hold the key to treating a wide range of genetic diseases in the future

Scientists have been studying a group of small viruses, called parvoviruses, which infect mammals including humans without causing disease

By “fossilising” the viruses, researchers can see how they have evolved in mammals over millions of years, taking on different specialised properties along the way

Dr Rob Gifford, an evolutionary biologist at Glasgow’s Centre for Virus Research, said: “This study reveals exciting insights into the long term evolutionary history of an important virus group Parvovirus gene therapy is a cutting-edge biomedical technology ”

He added that ”studying the natural biology and evolutionary history of parvoviruses” could help lead to “safer and more effective gene therapies ”

Aim of the game

COULD it be a game changer for the “silent killer”?

A digital game has been launched which it is hoped will improve awareness of pancreatic cancer, whose early symptoms can be hard to detect was reassured by friends who had children at uni that it was probably fresher ’s flu – something every student seems to get

TRAGIC: Teygan had no idea he was so ill

Teygan came home for a few days during October half term and, apart from tiredness, gave no cause for concern He returned to uni and went out for Halloween, then out again on the Saturday night

On the Sunday, he went to bed and stayed there the whole day A check was made on him by someone in the halls around 8pm and it was said he gave the impression he was feeling better, but the conversation was held through his door He was not seen

About an hour later, he got up and opened his door but collapsed in the hallway He was found by a friend who immediately saw he had a rash His friend knew it was one of the signs of meningitis and rang for an ambulance straight away But he could not be saved

As a family, we are united in our grief and shock at what happened No one had any real awareness of the risks of meningitis at university, neither family nor friends I realise now that we have to change this perception and make it one of the first things families think of when a student starts preparing for university

Be sure it’s not more than a hangover

THE symptoms of meningitis can be confused with flu, a hangover, or Covid-19, and students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs

Dr Caroline Rumble, from the UK Health Security Agency, North West, said: “We encourage all students heading to university or college to ensure they’re up to date with their vaccinations which will help to protect them against lifethreatening diseases like meningitis

“First-year or returning students can be at increased risk of infections including meningitis, as they mix with large numbers of other students from around the country and overseas

“All students should ask their GP if they’re up to date with their MenACWY (meningitis) vaccinations and be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia – don’t assume it’s a hangover or flu Look out for a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, a fever, aching muscles/joints and a stiff neck

Dr Rumble, a consultant in health protection, added: “If you’re unwell, make sure a friend knows and stay in touch regularly with friends who are ill These diseases can progress rapidly so if you think you or a friend could have meningitis do seek urgent medical help ” n Meningitis Now Helplne 0808 80 10 388

The Pancreatic Cancer Awareness game was co-created by Focus Games Ltd, Queen’s University Belfast and pancreatic cancer charity NIPANC.

Gary Mitchell, from Queen’s, said: “Games have shown promising results in raising awareness and changing perceptions ”

The early bid wins’

ARE you an early bird? Or a night owl?

The answer might affect your health. Our activity patterns and sleep cycles may influence our risk of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, according to research.

Those who stay up later have are less able to use fat for energy, meaning fats may build-up in the body, the study suggested

Professor Steven Malin, who led the research at Rutgers University, New Jersey, said: “The differences in fat metabolism between early birds and night owls shows that our body’s circadian rhythm (wake/sleep cycle) could affect how our bodies use insulin ”

Until May 27: A Thong for Europe Royal Court, Liverpool Lulu (Lindzi Germain), is the biggest Eurovision nut that you will ever meet When Liverpool won the right to host the competition, she knew that this was her big chance to make her dream come true and be there on the night itself

May 2-7: Unexpected Twist The Lowry, Salford Re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic Shona and her class are studying Oliver Twist She’s the new girl in school and is finding it hard to stay out of trouble – much like Oliver himself When she’s given a new phone by a stranger, she begins to suspect there’s something unusual about the new boys she’s met

May 2-6: The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Empire, Liverpool Returning to his childhood home, a man finds himself standing beside the pond of the old Sussex farmhouse where he used to play He's transported to his 12th birthday when his remarkable friend Lettie claimed it wasn't a pond, but an ocean–a place where everything is possible

May 2-6: Rock of Ages Venue Cymru

May 2-6: Pride and Prejudice (*sort of) Grand, Blackpool Unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story

May 4: Marti Pellow – Pellow Talk Floral Pavilion, New Brighton

May 5: The Zombies – The Invaders Return Tour. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton

May 5: Marti Pellow: Pellow Talk

Venue Cymru

May 5: Paul Smith – Joker Pavilion, Rhyl

May 6: Genesis Visible Touch – The Shapes Album at 40 Floral Pavilion, New Brighton

May 6: The Dolly Show Pavilion, Rhyl Tribute show

May 6: Supreme Queen Theatre Royal, St Helens Tribute show

May 7: The Magic of Motown Empire, Liverpool Tribute show

May 7: Legends of American Country. Grand, Blackpool

May 8-13: Annie Regent, Stoke Musical starring Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

May 9: Frankie Boyle Grand, Blackpool

May 9-13: The King and I Palace, Manchester

May 9-10: Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals The Lowry, Salford

May 10: Dara O’Briain Grand, Blackpool

Mar 11-13: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Empire, Liverpool With a fantastical flying car, a heartwarming love story, and whole bunch of teamwork, this timeless story is brought to life in a spectacular musical adaptation of the iconic family film

May 11: The Simon and Garfunkel Story.

Grand, Blackpool

May 12: Tapped by Katie Redford Octagon, Bolton Witty and sensitive portrayal of managing mental health within a family

May 13: 80s Show. Pavilion, Rhyl

May 13: Rock of Ages Lyceum, Crewe

May 13: Lost in Music – One Night at the Disco Grand, Blackpool

May 14: Katie Melua. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool

Box Office Contacts

BLACKPOOL

Grand Theatre:

01253 290190

BOLTON

Octagon: 01204 520661

CHESTER

Storyhouse: 01244 409 113

CREWE

Lyceum: 01270 368 242

LIVERPOOL

Empire: 08444 999 999

Everyman & Playhouse:

0151 709 4776

Philharmonic Hall:

0151 709 3789

Royal Court: 0870 787 1866

Unity 0151 709 4988

LLANDUDNO

Venue Cymru:

01492 872000

MOLD:

Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565

Roger ’s return

Manchester

Opera House: 0870 401 9000

Palace: 0870 401 3000

SALFORD

The Lowry: 0843 208 6000

Access line: 0333 320 2838

NEW BRIGHTON

Floral Pavilion: 0151 666 0000

RHYL:

Pavilion: 01745 330 000

RUNCORN

The Brindley: 0151 907 8360

ST HELENS:

Theatre Royal: 01744 756000

STOKE:

Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627

CHESTER:

Storyhouse: 01244 409 113

NEW and old poems from Liverpool’s 85-year-old wordsmith

May 19: Roger McGough – Alive and Giggling Playhouse, Liverpool

BACK to the decade of electronics, experimentation, synthesizers and great song writing

May 15: Midge

Ure The Voice & Vision Tour: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool; and May 29, Venue

Cymru, Llandudno