Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important for men to do testicular self exams?
In the United States, testicular cancer is the number one type of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 34. On average, 1 in 300 men will acquire this form of cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that testicular cancer is 99% curable, if caught early.
Unlike many other forms of cancer, there are not many things that can be done to decrease the risk of acquiring testicular cancer. The main things that increase the risk of getting testicular cancer are a testis that did not descend completely into the scrotum, or a father or brother who had testicular cancer. As you can see, you don’t have any control over these. Most cases, however, occur "out of the blue" with no risk factors at all.
The main sign of testicular cancer is a painless firm lump that is found on the surface of the testis. Because there are usually no associated symptoms, men are encouraged to examine their testes once a month to pick up on any abnormal changes. The examination is usually done while in the shower since warmth allows the testes to remain farther away from the body, making them easier to examine. Each testis should be rolled between the thumb and a few fingers and the surface should feel smooth, like a hard boiled egg. If you notice anything that feels abnormal, you should make an appointment with a health care provider as soon as possible to see whether further testing is needed.
I’ve heard about problems with the inappropriate use of antibiotics and want to know how it can affect me.
This is an important question because a lot of people are confused about what antibiotics do and what is appropriate use. As you may know, antibiotics are drugs given to patients with bacterial infections to try and kill the organism that is causing the infection. They do not work on viral infections. Each time an antibiotic is given to a patient, there is a slight risk that he or she could have a serious or life-threatening reaction. But more importantly, with the overuse of antibiotics, bacteria can acquire a way to become resistant to the antibiotic. This ability can be passed on to other bacteria and lead to the emergence of strains of bacteria that can no longer be killed by a particular antibiotic. As an illustration: penicillin, the first antibiotic, was able to kill a majority of the bacteria that existed early last century. Now, penicillin can only reliably kill a small group of bacteria such as Group A streptococcus, the organism that causes strep throat. This is because the bacteria have now acquired ways of making the drug ineffective. Scientists in the antibiotic industry have until recently been able to modify old drugs or create new drugs that can be used to treat resistant bacteria. But because of inappropriate use of antibiotics, some people die from infections with organisms that are resistant to all the drugs we have. It takes time to develop new safe and effective antibiotics. By changing antibiotic prescribing practices (using them only for bacterial infections in which they are truly indicated), doctors hope we can stay ahead of the bacteria and decrease the risk of even more resistant bacteria appearing in the future. So the next time you have a cold, remember colds are caused by viruses and antibiotics won’t help; they could actually even hurt you or someone else.
Can you tell me why I needed a meningitis vaccine to come to college?
Neisseria meningitidis is a bacterium that is known to cause particularly bad infections in humans. There are two major disease processes that this organism causes: meningitis (inflammation of the covering of the spinal cord and brain) and sepsis (an overwhelming infection in the blood stream). Both of these infections can be fatal if they are not treated quickly with antibiotics.
A few years ago, a study was done in Maryland that showed that freshmen college students living in dormitories (residence halls) were more likely to get infected with Neisseria meningitidis than other people their age who did not live in college dormitories. Although it is still a very rare disease, most infectious disease experts now recommend that college students get the vaccine before they go to college in order to help prevent the disease.
Missouri requires that all students who attend public universities in the state either receive the meningitis vaccine or sign a paper saying that they have read the information about the disease and decline getting the vaccine. Washington University decided to adopt a similar policy and now most (about 90%) of WU students living on campus have received the shot.
It is important to know a few things about the vaccine. First, the new vaccine does not protect against all the strains of Neisseria meningitidis that cause human infection; it does not cover the B strain which accounts for about 1/3 of all the cases in the US, and it does not protect against other bacteria and viruses that can cause meningitis. Second, the vaccine is not 100% effective; some people can still get sick with the bacteria even if they got the shot.
So if you get a bad headache with fever and a stiff neck (the symptoms of meningitis), you should seek medical care immediately, even if you got the shot.
Are there any resources to help me if I’m feeling stressed out?
Yes! See our online resource about Stress.
Yes! We have online resources about Stress, Managing Test Anxiety, and even Relaxation Techniques.
I’m having trouble sleeping at night. Is there anything I can do?
See tips and resources about Sleep.
How can I prevent the flu?
Most germs are passed by hands, so it is critical that you wash your hands or use alcohol-based cleansing gel often (you can buy the gel in the Campus Store, Bear’s Den, and the Village Market). Student Health Services notifies students about the availability of flu vaccine (both injectable and nasal) every fall.
More info: What's the Difference between a Cold and the Flu?
What are those posters trying to tell me when they say “2 out of 3 WU students have 4 or fewer drinks when they party”?
The fact is that most WU students are making moderate decisions about alcohol. Those who are drinking a dangerous amount are in the minority. The idea is for you to make your own decisions based on the facts. For more info, go to justthefacts.wustl.edu. If you are worried about a friend, or if you think you may need help, talk to your RA and seek out the professionals at Student Health Services.
How do I manage my weight with all this food around all the time?
Healthy eating and an active lifestyle are easy at WU if you know about the resources on our nutrition and physical activity pages:
My friends all seem to be hooking up. How do I know what’s right for me?
You might want to check out our brochures and/or talk to our staff about sexual decision making. You might be surprised that many of your peers are not having sex in college. For those who are, we have tips on reducing risks of emotional consequences, diseases, and pregnancy. You might want to start with the info in our Sexual Health document.
Are condoms available on campus?
Free condoms and brochures about reducing risks are available in Health Promotion Services and in WU apartments and residence halls (thanks to the Student Health Advisory Committee’s “We’ve Got You Covered” program).
Is emergency contraception available?
Yes. WU offers Plan B. See Emergency Contraception, call or visit Student Health Services for more information.
What can I do if I think I may have been raped?
Seek help immediately. See suggestions in “Coping with Sexual Assault: A Resource Guide for Survivors and Friends.”
