What should i do to prevent getting the H1N1 virus?

For all questions reguarding HINI please see our FAQs: SEASONAL & H1N1 INFLUENZA at

http://www.studenthealth.utah.edu/FAQFlu.htm.

I am 71, in good health but have had a dry cough since Monday.  My back aches and temp is 96.2-100.6. My concern is H1N1.  But is could be regular flu.  Do I need to check it out?

At this point your symptoms seem to be very mild and we would expect that this would continue. As long as that is the case; especially as long as you don't develop a more severe fever, no difficulty breathing or worsening of his symptoms, you do not need to do anything other than treat the symptoms that are bothering you. If you develop chest pain, increase in fever, chills, shortness of breath, new sputum production, worsening malaise or nausea/vomiting, it would be advisable that you be seen by a provider.

I had outpatient gallbladder surgery three days ago through Laproscopy. Since then, have not had a bowel movement and feel bloated. Also, the incisions are very itchy. Is this common?

Itchy incisions are normal.

The lack of bowel movement and feeling bloated can be normal too. These symptoms would suggest getting up and moving about, minimizing narcotic pain medications (like lortab, Percocet, etc. which slow the bowels significantly), increasing water intake and eating regular meals (rather than grazing). If these tips do not provide any relief try some miralax (1 cap powder dissolved in 8 oz of fluid) 1-2 x per day until bowels get moving.

If there is associated worsening abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, you should immediately call the provider who preformed the surgery.

If your partner may have a bladder infection is it ok to have sexual intercourse using a condom and is it ok to perform oral sex?

Bladder infections are usually caused when fecal "poop" bacteria get into the urinary system causing an infection.

Both of the activities mentioned are ok as you can't give a bladder infection to someone else. What is more important is that your infected partner is ok with intercourse or oral sex - often times the bladder is quite tender and the motion of intercourse can make it hurt worse. Some times partners want to please the other and won't mention that the act of intercourse is uncomfortable. Waiting for a few days until the infection clears is probably best. Concentrating on other activities such as thoughtful touch and kissing until the infection has cleared can sometimes be just the TLC the doctor ordered!

I dropped a heavy object on the top of my foot about a week ago, and It feels as if I may have chipped some bone. Should I worry about that?

Ouch! My suggestion would be to call a provider and have them take a look at your foot as soon as possible to avoid possible further injury. You can call into Student Health at 801-581-6431 to see if your insurance accepts Student Health or if you do not have insurance. We can usually see you same or next day.

I need to print out my immunizations records for my senior year, what web site do I go to?

If you had your immunizations done here at the Student Health Clinic you can call 801-581-6431 and we are happy to print them out and mail them to you.  We are only able to accommodate this request for records if you had the immunizations done here, otherwise we do not keep them.

To what address do I send my proof of immunity form to?

     Attn: Kerry Hill
Student Health Center
555 Foothill Drive, Level 1
SLC, UT 84112

When do the immunization cards need to be submitted by?

For students starting in the fall semester immunization cards must be submitted by October 1st. For all other insurance questions please contact Kerry Hill at kerry.hill@studenthealth.utah.edu

Where can I get a flu shot?

Congratulations on trying to get prepared for the upcoming flu season! The Student Health Center is out of the flu shot for this 2008-2009 flu season. We will start giving flu shots for the next flu season approximately around the middle of October. Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. We will be posting when we have flu shots available on our Twitter account. Follow Student Health at Twitter!

Are there any green vegetables that do not agree with cholesterol and blood thinner medications?

Coumadin(Warfarin) is the the main blood thinner that patients are generally prescribed.  Click here for a PDF regarding foods and Coumadin.  Patients on Coumadin should receive information on this topic by those who monitor their Coumadin dose.  Regarding cholesterol green vegetables should not have harmful effects.

I need to request a copy of my immunization records. How can I get it or where do I go?

Because we don't require documentation we can not give that information unless the vaccines were given at Student Health. If you have specific questions please call Kerry Hill at 801-581-5804.

How are antibiotic resistant bacteria controlled?

Antibiotic resistance cannot be controlled per se, but can be prevented via the judicious use of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance develops after bacteria are repeatedly exposed to antibiotics - most are killed but a small number develop resistance.  Those that survive, reproduce, carrying with them the resistance to that antibiotic. Once an organism develops resistance it rarely loses it, though through reproduction some of the particular type of bacteria no longer have the resistance gene and eventually you'll be back to a population of bacteria with different resistance.  However, continued exposure to antibiotics repetitively, will continue to select for only those resistant organisms. For more information please see the CDC info on resistance (http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/)

My friend has had a cough for weeks. Over the counter medication doesn't seem to help anymore. Any suggestions?

If you have has a persistent cough for a few weeks and it seems to be worsening it is a good idea to go see a provider for it. They will be able to look over your symptoms and make an effective diagnosis and prescribe the best treatment for you.  The cost of this appointment would be a $10 co-pay with Student Insurance or $35-40 with no insurance. To make an appointment, please call 801-581-6431.

I have a problem that threatens my academic performance. The problem is is that I don't have energy most of the time. I sleep a lot and my concentration is very low. What is my problem?

Fatigue is a very common complaint among students but is a very broad term with a lot of different causes.  The only way to diagnose what you have is to see a health care provider to discuss the symptoms you are having.  The providers at the Student Health Center would be happy to meet with you.  We will see you regardless if you have health insurance. To make an appointment, please call 801-581-6431.

My friend has been cutting herself and I don't know what kind of help to get for her. Can you refer to someone in Utah that can help with this?

If your friend is a student at the University of Utah and is feeling like she is in crisis, she might consider coming into the University Counseling Center during their office hrs (M-F 8-5, Tues until 6) and speak to a crisis counselor. If it's not a crisis, she can call and request an intake appointment. If she's not a student here, and has private insurance she could find out what the coverage is and see someone through her plan. If person is not a student here a therapist out in the community that is recommended: Susan Lyons, and several at Aspen Grove 801-581-0422 such as Lee Beckstead. It basically depends if they have insurance or financial resources

I am looking to start a family in the next year with my husband. Does the univ. student health center offer preconception advice? If so, is this covered by my student health insurance?

The Student Health Center will meet with you to discuss preconception care but health counseling is not covered by the student health insurance. Our advice to you would be to schedule yourself for  an annual exam and while you're here, one of our providers could talk to you about preconception care.  We use the March of Dimes preconception guidelines as a resource for our counseling and one of the most important things for you to start doing is taking a folic acid supplement.  You can get it over the counter at any drug store. 

I have student health insurance, am I able to get a pap smear at the student health clinic?

YES! Appointments for pap smears can usually made for the following day and definitely within a week. The cost of the appointment is $88 which includes the cost of the complete physical exam and the pap smear.  Results for the test usually come back within 2-3 days. To schedule your appointment please call (801)581-6431.

Does the Student Health Center take walk-in appointments?

YES! However, patients with appointments will be given priority and as such, you may have to wait until there is an available time slot for a provider to meet with you. To ensure we can see you, we highly recommend making an appointment beforehand so we can provide the best possible care.  For appointments, please call (801) 581-6431.

I have always had eye floaters but only few small ones, past few months they have increased / bigger, annoying specially sunny outdoors, should I see doctor? Has this been an emergency? What should I do?

I keep having to wipe the corners of my eyes, but sometimes there is nothing there as it feels like something / dirt / eyelash, very annoying, anything to do with the last question? Any recommendations?

We would recommend that you see an ophthalmologist for the floaters so they can adequately diagnose the problem.   Your second concern may suggest an allergy related condition but it can also be addressed at the same appointment.  U of U students can see an ophthalmologist at the Moran Eye Center.  Their phone to schedule an appointment or talk to a provider is (801)581-2352.

I have the student health insurance plan. If I want to get a new pair of glasses, is it covered under the plan?

Unfortunately, the student health insurance plan does not cover vision. For more information, please go to www.gmsouthwest.com or call Kerry Hill at (801)581-5804.

Is period weight gain a real thing? How much weight can a woman gain on her period? I am trying to lose weight and this morning I stepped on the scale and I am four pounds heavier.

Weight gain when you are trying to lose can be frustrating. It is normal to gain weight and retain fluids during the menstrual cycle or between periods. If that is the cause, it will go away by the end of the period. Reducing salt intake in the last few days before your period can help minimize bloating and fluid retention. If you gain or lose more than 10 pounds in a short amount of time without trying, it is a good idea to see your medical provider. To make an appointment at the Student Health Clinic please call 801-581-6431.

Your weight could also be going up if you have started an exercise program. Don't panic! It doesn't necessarily mean you're doing anything wrong, nor does it mean you're going in the wrong direction. Muscle is more dense than fat but takes up less space. This means if you are gaining muscle, your weight may go up even as you're slimming down. To track your progress try getting your body fat tested on a regular basis. Body fat testing at the University of Utah can be done at the PEAK Academy. They can also help set you up with a fun and healthy exercise and diet plan. If that isn't an option, you can take measurements at different areas of the body. If you're losing inches, you are on the right track!