The most likely cause is the convergence of large numbers of people arriving from all over the world, many of whom carry germs to which they are immune, but others have not had a chance to acquire the necessary immunity. The poor diet and heavy consumption of alcohol during freshers week is also reported as a cause for many of the illnesses contracted during this time. “Stress, which may be induced by tiredness, combined with a poor diet, late nights and too much alcohol, can weaken the immune system and be a recipe for ill health. All this can make students more susceptible to infections within their first weeks of term.”^[1]