Health Services

• Evaluation and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries.
  Selected gynecological services
• Dispensing antibiotics and selective over the counter medications.
• Dressing changes and suture removal.
  
  

Student in consultation with the physician.

• Loan and fitting splints, crutches and wheelchairs.
  
  Mono test
  Pregnancy tests.
• Strep throat tests.
• TB (Mantoux) skin screening.
  Urinalysis test
  
  
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella immunizations.
• Tetanus and Diptheria Pertussis vaccination
• Meningitis Vaccination
• Gardasil Quadrivalent (HPV) Vaccine
• Hepatitis B vaccination
• Influenza (Flu) vaccination
• Allergy injections
  
• Counseling for general and reproductive health concerns.
• Contraceptive supplies
• Health/Wellness/Promotion information and consultations on nutrition, physical fitness, emotional well being, weight control, blood pressure control, stress reduction and many other preventive health practices.
  
  

  Evaluation and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries :
  A Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse is on site during regular office hours for the evaluation and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries including (but not limited to) colds, FLU, sore throat, upset stomach, skin rashes, fever, eye irritation, ear wax build-up, headache, urinary infections, strains, sprains, lacerations, abrasions, puncture wounds, insect bites, burns, blisters, etc. When appropriate treatment is provided on site prevention and good health care education is included. There is no charge for a health services office visit. Other health services are provided at low cost to students.

  If treatment is not possible on site at the SHCC, the students will be referred to their family physician or other available area care. The SHCC has a physician contracted to provide medical direction and oversight.

  Students may also be referred to local walk-in clinics or emergency rooms of nearby hospitals during off hours or when the care requires more complicated medical intervention. At these times the student or their health insurance will be charged for the service they receive at these sites.

  Dispensing antibiotics and selective over the counter medicine:
  Over the counter medications may be dispensed at no charge to students for minor illnesses or injuries. These include non-narcotic pain medicines such as ibuprofen and Tylenol, cough syrup, throat lozenges, antacids, diarrhea pills, first aid ointments and lotions for itchy rashes and stings and do not require a Doctors order. All medications are dispensed with instructions.

  Dressing changes and suture removal:
  Occasionally wounds such as lacerations or blisters or burns must be evaluated for progress. They may require dressing changes on a regular basis, or the student is unable to change the bandage. This care may be provided at the SHCC office.

  Students may have sutures (stitches) or staples that were placed at another site, such as an emergency room or doctor's office. These may be removed by the SHCC Health Nurse for a nominal fee.

  Loan and fitting splints, crutches and wheelchairs:
  Crutches are available for a free of charge short-term loan. They will be fitted for use and the student will be instructed in correct crutch-walking technique. Students must sign a loan form and return the equipment in a timely manner.

  If a wheel chair is necessary one is available on a temporary basis. Failure to return the item in good condition and the appropriate time frame will result in a charge for the equipment at market value.

  Strep Throat Test:
  When a student is examined for a sore throat and the evidence points to the need for a Strep test, Quick Strep tests are available and are done in the Student Health & Counseling Center . If the test is positive for Strep A, the SHCC health nurse is able to dispense an antibiotic for a nominal fee. If the test is negative, the student is advised how to treat the symptoms and over-the-counter medicines are dispensed

  Pregnancy test:
  Pregnancy tests are done by the SHCC health nurse after an initial evaluation proves it is necessary. Because of the need to have a concentrated urine specimen, the test is done only on the first urine specimen in the morning. The student is instructed to bring such a specimen into the SHCC before 10:00 AM. A specimen container may be picked up at SH&CC the day before, or the urine may be brought in any suitable clean container from home. The test is done right away and the results are available within five minutes. Depending on the results, advice and/or referral is made for further evaluation and follow-up.

  TB (Mantoux) Skin Screening:
  There are several programs on campus which require a TB test for advancement into the course, i.e. Nursing or Teacher Education programs. Occasionally, students may request a TB tests for other reasons, i.e. personal reasons or employment. The test requires a small amount of solution to be injected under the skin of the inner forearm with a very tin needle. This site is then ‘read' in 48-72 hours for any redness and/or raised area. At the time of the ‘reading', a copy of the test is given or a referral is made for further testing if the results are Positive. Because of the time frame, TB tests are only done on MON, TUE, WED, or FRI. NO TB tests are done on THURSDAYS. There is a nominal charge for this test.

  Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccination:
  This combination vaccination provides protection against measles, mumps and rubella. The general guidelines for anyone 18 years of age or older, who was born after 1956, should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine unless they can show that they have had either the vaccines or the diseases. For adults born before 1956 may be given one injection of MMR unless they have proof of having the diseases.

  Measles is a virus that causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation and fever. It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death.

  Mumps is a virus that causes fever, headache, and swollen salivary glands. It can lead to deafness, meningitis, painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and rarely, death.

  Rubella (German Measles) caused by a virus that causes rash, mild fever, and arthritis. If a woman gets this disease when she is pregnant, she could lose the pregnancy or have a baby with serious birth defects.

  Meningitis Vaccination
  Meningitis is an bacterial and a viral infectious disease of the fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. Meningococcal disease also causes blood infections. The meningococcal meningitis is the leading cause of the disease in children 2-18 years of age in the United States . College freshmen who live in dormitories seem to have an increased risk of getting the disease because it is spread by aerosol, droplet, coughs, etc. (See General Information “Frequently Asked Questions on Meningitis www.uwp.edu/departments/student.health/menigitis.cfm ). The vaccine is available at the SHCC. Call to reserve your vaccination if you have not already received it from your family doctor.

  Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis Vaccination:
  This is a ‘combined' injection that is necessary every 10 years to maintain immunity. It protects against tetanus (lock-jaw) caused after a cut or wound lets the germ into the body; diphtheria caused by a bacteria that can lead to inability to breathe, cause paralysis, or heart failure; and pertussis (whooping cough) can cause mild or severe spells of coughing and choking and can last for several weeks.

  As important as getting immunizations is the need to have documentation on hand that list dates of all immunizations. If this is not available, contact parents, doctors, or clinics for proof for your medical records and history. This will save time and a lot of frustration for you!

  Hepatitis B Vaccination
  Hepatitis B is a disease that is the result of personal contact with blood borne pathogens or with other body fluids. (See “Important Information Concerning Hepatitis B” at www.uwp.edu/departments/student.health/hepb.cfm web site.) The immunization regimen is a series of three (3) injections given at 0, 1 month, and 6 months. This is given at low cost. There is no charge for students up to their 19 th birthday or younger .

  Influenza (FLU) Vaccine Vaccination
  FLU (influenza) is an acute contagious respiratory disease that is characterized by fever, fatigue, body aches and pains. It is prevalent every year between October and April. FLU vaccine is available for a very low cost to students.

  Allergy Injections
  If allergy injections are required for students, it is possible to receive them at the SHCC. There are specific criteria, however. Students must obtain a form from SHCC and have their allergist complete it, and return it before or at the time of the first injection. Allergy serum must be obtained by the student and brought to SHCC for storage. Injections are given in accord with the allergist's written instructions.

  The student must receive their initial allergy injection(s) from the allergist before arranging to have them administered at the SHCC. Student must wait at the SHCC 20 minutes after injection(s) for observation. There is a $25.00 per semester fee for this service, due on the first visit of the semester.

  The SHCC does not provide allergy testing or serum

  Contraceptive supplies:
  There are a variety of contraceptive products available to students from the SHCC. These products include Oral Contraceptives, Depo Provera injections, and condoms. All products are available at low cost to students. There is also information available on Safe(r) sex, including abstinence. Printed brochures are FREE!

  Counseling for general and reproductive health concerns:
  In every contact between the student and nurse, there is an element of counseling and/or education. It is in the best interest of both parties to be informed and participate in good health practices.

  “The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.”

  Therefore, health/wellness information and promotion are available for nutrition, physical fitness, emotional well being, weight control, blood pressure control/monitoring, stress reduction, and many other preventive health measures. Physical and mental health is by nature intertwined and necessitates combination in the Student Health & Counseling Center. However, there are specific services available for counseling by mental health counselors as needed.