Health Center treats flu, more
Elizabeth Tertadian
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: News
As the winter chill encroaches upon UP, students are bound to get sick. This is standard, even without the swine flu.
Located in Orrico Hall, the University Health Center's mission is "to maintain the health of heart, mind and body."
It offers many services to help students who are sick, including an on-site nurse practitioner, counselors, physical exams, diagnosis tests, prescription medication, general health programs and immunizations. Over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, are sold at the Health Center.
A student who is feeling ill should make an appointment at the Health Center with the nurse. Appointments can be made by walking in or by phone.
According to nurse practitioner Jeanette Bradford, the Health Center can provide most everything students need.
This flu season, seasonal flu shots are available. A flu test is also available that will test for flu types A and B.
H1N1 flu shots are not available yet due to the nationwide shortage.
While no one can be tested directly for H1N1 unless hospitalized, H1N1 is classified as a type A flu.
According to Bradford, students who test positive for a type A flu this season most likely have H1N1.
"Swine, H1N1, is just like the seasonal influenza," said Bradford. "It is not more dangerous. They're both the flu."
If caught within the first 48 hours, the seasonal flu can be treated successfully with a drug called Tamiflu, which is an anti-viral medication the Health Center keeps on site that typically cuts symptom duration in half.
Along with all other prescription medications, Tamiflu is sold to students who want and need it.
It costs $103, which is what it costs the Health Center. Students can bill directly to Student Accounts, or send the receipt to their health insurance for reimbursement.
Although the flu is a constant concern for many UP students, the Health Center provides other services as well. Tests for strep, pregnancy, mono, HIV and other STDs are available.
Located in Orrico Hall, the University Health Center's mission is "to maintain the health of heart, mind and body."
It offers many services to help students who are sick, including an on-site nurse practitioner, counselors, physical exams, diagnosis tests, prescription medication, general health programs and immunizations. Over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, are sold at the Health Center.
A student who is feeling ill should make an appointment at the Health Center with the nurse. Appointments can be made by walking in or by phone.
According to nurse practitioner Jeanette Bradford, the Health Center can provide most everything students need.
This flu season, seasonal flu shots are available. A flu test is also available that will test for flu types A and B.
H1N1 flu shots are not available yet due to the nationwide shortage.
While no one can be tested directly for H1N1 unless hospitalized, H1N1 is classified as a type A flu.
According to Bradford, students who test positive for a type A flu this season most likely have H1N1.
"Swine, H1N1, is just like the seasonal influenza," said Bradford. "It is not more dangerous. They're both the flu."
If caught within the first 48 hours, the seasonal flu can be treated successfully with a drug called Tamiflu, which is an anti-viral medication the Health Center keeps on site that typically cuts symptom duration in half.
Along with all other prescription medications, Tamiflu is sold to students who want and need it.
It costs $103, which is what it costs the Health Center. Students can bill directly to Student Accounts, or send the receipt to their health insurance for reimbursement.
Although the flu is a constant concern for many UP students, the Health Center provides other services as well. Tests for strep, pregnancy, mono, HIV and other STDs are available.
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