Stock up on Lemsip because Exeter has been revealed as a hotspot for freshers’ flu

Exeter has been revealed as a hotspot for freshers’ flu.

Something that I’m sure surprises none of the university’s students.

This comes as data showed it ranked second, with an average of 8,342 average online searches for cold and flu related terms from September and October 2021 to 2023.

It’s not surprising really that Exeter has a higher than average flu transmission rate given its population of 126,175 and the notable yearly growth in the number of new students.

The research conducted by Claims.co.uk analysed Google Keyword Planner data on more than 2,400 cold and flu-related terms for each UK city from 2021 to 2023. Its research focused exclusively on the average monthly searches between September and October – a prime time for freshers’ flu. 

However, Exeter Today reported that Oxford takes the number one spot with 9,580 average searches, and Cambridge in third with 8,181 average searches over the same period.

A spokesperson from Claims.co.uk said: “With summer coming to an end, the days becoming chillier and school starting again, illnesses are bound to make an unwelcome return. While this happens every year, it is amplified in both large and small university hubs, as high numbers of students converge on their campuses all at once, making it almost impossible to avoid catching a cold or the flu.

“The data highlights the cities where the infamous freshers’ flu is most prevalent, and it’s no coincidence that the top 10 are all well-known university cities. It’s advisable for both parents and students to be extra cautious, to be prepared for anything by packing warmer clothes, and to ensure that medicines are readily available at all times.”

I guess I’ll be popping down to Boots later then.

Featured image via Pixabay

Related articles recommended by this writer:

• Plain clothed officers to patrol Exeter bars following string of sex attacks in the city
• From Laf to Holland: What your first year Exeter accommodation says about you
• Screwfix is opening a store in an Exeter University accommodation