Health Services

Health Services provides confidential and holistic primary health care to enhance the academic potential of our students. Each student encounter is an opportunity to educate about prevention and risk reduction to promote life-long healthy choices.

H1N1 (Swine) Flu

The PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) which is part of the WHO (World Health Organization) released the following media briefing on May 18th.
Click here to read the media briefing.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

Stay informed.

These websites will be updated regularly as information becomes available:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Rhode Island Department of Health:
http://www.health.ri.gov/

Take everyday actions to stay healthy. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.

• Cough into your arm or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.  Carry a supply with you when you leave home.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth and don’t share cups, drinks or cigarettes. Germs spread that way.
• If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home or away from others until you are free of symptoms for 24 hours.

Symptoms for the current strain of H1N1 flu being reported include:

Sudden fever with:

• Muscle aches
• Headaches
  
• Sore throat
• Dry cough

Those who have contracted this strain of flu also experience more vomiting and diarrhea than is usual with seasonal influenza.

Students residing on campus or using Health Services as their primary care provider should call 456-8055 for an appointment if they experience a fever with flu-like symptoms.

Keep things in perspective. So far, cases in the U.S. have not been severe and antiviral drugs are effective in treating this strain of influenza.  Limit the amount of time you spend listening to or watching media coverage which may provoke unnecessary worry.

Develop a family emergency plan. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies. 

This is a good resource for developing a plan:
http://www.health.ri.gov/pandemicflu/panflubrochure.pdf

What's New

Influenza and Pandemic Planning Information read more...

Office Hours

During the Academic Year
Monday - Friday	7:30am - 7:00pm
During summer sessions and break periods
Monday - Friday	7:30am - 4:00pm
Provider (NP or MD) usually available
Monday - Friday	8:00am - 4:00pm