How do I Know When I Need to Visit Student Health Services?
Feeling Crummy?
Many students come to Student Health Services (SHS) with upper respiratory tract infections. Most of these are viral, and students learn that they can treat them with over-the-counter medications. Often, students find that they can take good care of themselves by following some basic instructions.
For specific complaints, consult the information below and follow the steps to determine whether you need to visit SHS.
If you determine that you do need to visit SHS, you may make an appointment online.
If you have questions, call 935-6666 to speak with a nurse.
Colds and Flu
What's the difference?
| Symptoms | Cold | Influenza, "the Flu" |
| Fever | rare in adults and older children | 102° - 104° F, 3-4 days |
| Headache | rare | sudden onset and can be severe |
| Muscle aches | rare | common, and often severe |
| Fatique and weakness | mild | common, can last two or more weeks |
| Extreme exhaustion | never | sudden onset and can be severe |
| Runny nose | often | sometimes |
| Sneezing | often | sometimes |
| Sore throat | often | sometimes |
| Cough | mild | common, and can become severe |
If you have symptoms of Influenza, visit SHS today.
Common Cold Home Treatment
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen are effective for the fever and muscular aches of the common cold. Because of an association between aspirin and a rare but serious problem of the brain and liver known as Reye’s Syndrome, children and teenagers should not take aspirin or formulas containing aspirin.
The fever, aches, and exhaustion are most pronounced in the afternoon and evening, so take medications regularly over this period. You may buy a cold formula over-the-counter, but remember that the formulas are simply combinations of drugs available singly without a prescription. The combination you buy may not be right for your symptoms and may cost more than a more effective single drug. Rest. Drink plenty of liquid. The body requires more fluid when you have a fever. Fluids help to keep the mucus more liquid and help prevent complications. A vaporizer (particularly in the winter) will help liquefy secretions.
Sore Throat
- Are you having severe difficulty swallowing or breathing? Are you drooling excessively?
- Yes - Visit SHS today
- No - Go to next question
- Do you have any of these conditions?
· a temperature of 101° F (38° C)
· pus in the back of the throat
· a red rash that feels like sandpaper
· increased redness in the skin creases- Yes - Visit SHS today
- No - Go to next question
- Are your tonsils swollen?
- Yes - Make an appointment at SHS
- No - Use Home Treatment
Sore Throat Home Treatment
Cold liquids, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen are effective for sore throat pain and fever. Saltwater gargles and tea with honey or lemon may help. Time is the most important healer for pain. A vaporizer makes the waiting more comfortable for some.
Runny Nose
- Is this a clear discharge that began after a head injury?
- Yes - Visit SHS today
- No - Go to next question
- Have your symptoms lasted more than one week?
- Yes - Make appointment with SHS
- No - Use Home Treatment
Runny Nose Home Treatment
Using handkerchiefs or tissues to blow your nose has the great advantage of safely moving mucus, virus particles, and allergens outside the body. A facial tissue has no side effects and costs less than drugs.
If drugs must be used, there are two basic types:
- Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine shrink the mucous membranes and open the nasal passages.
- Antihistamines block allergic reactions and decrease the amount of secretions. Antihistamines may cause drowsiness and interfere with sleep.
Note that drops containing decongestants are suitable for adults, but should not be used for more than three days.
Try to ensure that the mucus is thin rather than thick and sticky in order to prevent complications such as ear and sinus infections.
- Use saline nasal drops.
- Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or humidifier.
- Drink a large amount of liquid.
Cough
- Did violent cough begin suddenly, without signs of a cold, in a person who might have inhaled a small object?
- Yes - Visit SHS today
- No - Go to next question
- Are you experiencing rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, or wheezing?
- Yes - Visit SHS today
- No - Go to next question
- Do you have a fever or is the cough producing thick, foul-smelling, mucus?
- Yes - Visit SHS today
- No - Go to next question
- Does your cough cause you to vomit?
- Yes - Visit SHS today
- No - Use Home Treatement
Cough Home Treatment
Tips for thinning the mucus in the breathing tubes and making it less sticky:
- Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or a steamy shower.
- Drink large quantities of fluids.
- Take Guaifenesin (Robitussin or Naldecon CX, for example), which is available without a prescription.
- If a postnasal drip is causing the cough, decongestants may help. Avoid drugs that contain antihistamines because they dry the secretions and make them thicker. If an allergy is causing the cough, an antihistamine may help.
Ear Pain
- Is there discharge from the ear
- Yes - Visit SHS today
- No - Go to next question
- Is there more than mild ear discomfort?
- Yes - Visit SHS today
- No - Use Ear Pain Home Treatment
Ear Pain Home Treatment
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen will provide partial pain relief. If symptoms continue for more than two weeks, visit SHS
If symptoms continue for more than two weeks, visit SHS.
