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College
College is a time that you will be responsible for making your own choices. This includes choices about your health.
Even though you’re in college your pediatrician still cares about your health.
You can call your pediatrician any time you have questions.
If you live nearby, you can continue to make appointments or come in when you are home on break.
You may see your pediatrician for a physical before you start school.
Health Care on Campus
Check if your school has a student health service.
Whether you live on campus or not, it’s a place you can go for medical care, advice, information, and counseling.
Student health services are usually well staffed with a variety of health care professionals.
They also know pediatricians and other doctors in the area in case you need something they’re not able to do.
Before You Go
Determine what kind of health insurance coverage you will be having.
Most schools will offer their own health insurance as well- you will need to contact the school to see if that is an option for you.
If you will be using your parents' policy, take a copy of the insurance card with you.
Find out what type of plan you have (eg, HMO, PPO), what's covered, how to file claims, and what to do in case of an emergency.
Remember, your parents will be notified each time the insurance company is billed for something.
Things to Bring to College
A filled-out health record.
A list of any medicines you take, including their dosages.
A list of your allergies.
A list of any past medical problems (example: if you had surgery or were in the hospital).
A list of any special needs you might have (such as chronic conditions or disabilities).
A record of any mental health problems.
Your immunization record that shows which vaccines you have had, including the type of vaccine, when you got it, and if you had any side effects.
Proof of health insurance.
First Aid Kit Items:
Bandages for small cuts and scrapes
Gauze and adhesive tape
An elastic bandage for wrapping sprains
Waterless hand cleaner
Antibacterial/antibiotic ointment
A digital (not mercury) thermometer
An ice pack or chemical cold pack
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches, pains, and fever
Other medicines (Ask your pediatrician for suggestions.)
Common Health Problems
Illnesses and infections can spread easily when students are living and studying in proximity.
Viral Illnesses - Colds and Flu
Cold Symptoms:
Coughing
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Mild fevers
Flu Symptoms:
Higher fever (commonly above 102°F or 39°C)
Body aches
Dry cough
Upset stomach or vomiting
What You Can Do:
Rest
Drink a lot of fluids
Treat the symptoms.
You can try using over-the-counter cold and flu medicines or fever and pain medicines. They may help you feel better.
However, do not take aspirin when you have the flu.
Your pediatrician or the student health service can suggest which medicines may help your symptoms, as well as answer your questions.
Some types of the flu can be treated with antiviral agents, but you must take them during the first or second day of the illness, and a prescription is required. They can help you feel better faster.
Prevention:
Wash your hands often!
Get a flu vaccine each fall.
Avoid close contact with anyone who has an infection. That means no kissing or sharing drinks or utensils with someone who is ill.
Mononucleosis ("mono")
"Mono"—also known as "the kissing disease." Mono is caused by a virus.
Symptoms May Include:
Fever
Sore throat
Headache
Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
Extreme tiredness
What You Can Do:
If you have a sore throat or bad flu that doesn't go away in 7-10 days, see your doctor.
Mono is diagnosed by a blood test. There is no specific treatment for mono though it’s important to avoid contact sports for two weeks after your diagnoses. Plenty of rest and eating a healthy diet also helps you to heal.
Bacterial Infections
Examples are Strep throat, Sinus infections, Ear infections.
Symptoms May Include:
Sore throat
Pain in your ears or sinuses
A persistent fever
What You Can Do:
Go to the student health service.
The staff will be able to tell you what the problem is and give you antibiotics if you need them.
If you need to take antibiotics, take them exactly as you are told and be sure to take all of them. If you don't complete your antibiotic course, the infection may come back.
Prevention:
Avoid close contact with anyone who has an infection. That means no kissing or sharing drinks or utensils with someone who is ill.
See your doctor for regular checkups.
Meningococcal Disease
A common form of this is meningitis.
This disease can infect the brain, the spinal cord, blood, or a combination of these.
Symptoms may include:
High fever
Stiff neck
Severe headache
A flat, pink, red, or purple rash
Nausea and vomiting
Sensitivity to light
What You Can Do:
Seek medical treatment right away.
The disease can be fatal or may result in permanent brain damage or lifelong problems with the nervous system.
Prevention:
There are different meningococcal vaccines: Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB), and Meningococcal ABCWY (MenABCWY).
The meningitis vaccines are recommended for teens 11 through 18 years of age and for college freshmen living in dorms.
The vaccines are effective against most, but not all strains of the bacteria that cause this infection.
Based on your age and health risk, your doctor will recommend the type of vaccine for you.
Not all colleges will require a meningitis vaccine – please check with your college and discuss the vaccines with your pediatrician.
Avoid close contact with anyone who has an infection. That means no kissing or sharing drinks or utensils with someone who is ill.
Bruises, Sprains, and Strains
These are very common and are usually not very serious.
Here's how to tell the difference between them:
Bruises cause the skin to turn purple, brown, or red in color.
Strains are injuries to muscles and tendons that result from too much or sudden stretching.
Sprains are injuries to the ligaments, the connecting tissue between bones.
What You Can Do:
Use the RICE method of treatment:
Rest: Usually for the first 24 hours
Ice: Use ice packs or gel packs for 20 minutes every 4 hours on the affected area
Compression: Wrap the injured part in an ace bandage
Elevation: If you injured your ankle for example, prop it up on pillows to elevate it
Prevention:
Being physically active is a great way to stay healthy, but be smart and avoid injuries by:
Using the right safety gear (such as pads and helmets).
Warming up and cooling down. Stretch out before and after you exercise or play a sport.
Taking breaks. Don't exercise or play through pain.
An ankle brace can help support ankles that have been injured before.
Health 101
The best way to avoid getting sick is to do your best to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Sleep
Try to get about 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night whenever you can.
When you are sleep deprived:
Your body cannot fight off germs as well.
You are more likely to feel stressed or become depressed.
You may have a hard time staying awake in class.
You may have trouble concentrating on papers and tests.
Eat Well
Vending machine food or fast food may be quick and cheap when you are busy and, on a budget, but it’s not the healthiest option.
Eat fruits and vegetables every day (your goal should be 5 servings of fruits, vegetables, or both a day).
Eat lean meats, fish, and poultry.
Eat foods high in calcium, such as low-fat dairy products.
Limit junk food or foods with a lot of fat, sugar, and salt.
Limit sugary drinks such as soda, pop, juice, sweetened teas or coffees, and sport drinks.
Research healthy vegetarian options if you are a vegetarian.
Exercise
If you are not used to exercising or if you have a chronic health problem, talk with your healthcare provider or the student health service before starting an exercise program.
Aerobic Exercises
Strengthens your heart and lungs. These are activities such as biking, running, fast walking, swimming, active dancing, and rowing.
Strengthening Exercises
Tones and builds muscles and bone mass. You can do this by doing sit-ups, push-ups, and leg lifts or by working out with weights or resistance bands.
Stretching Exercises
Stretching exercises such as Yoga improves your flexibility and range of motion.
How to Find Time
Find small ways to sneak exercise into your day.
For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or park your car farther away from your destination.
Don’t Ignore these symptoms - seek medical care right away if you have:
A fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher.
A headache and a stiff neck.
Pain with urination.
An unusual discharge from your penis or vagina.
A change in your menstrual cycle.
Pain in the abdomen that will not go away.
A persistent cough, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
Pain or any other symptoms that worry you or last longer than you think they should.
Your Mental Health
Starting college can be stressful.
You may be away from home for the first time.
Maybe you miss your family and friends.
It may take you time to adjust to new surroundings, new teachers, and new friends.
All these things can make you feel alone, overworked, and stressed out.
Following is information concerning your mental health.
Making Friends
Friends usually become your main support system while in college.
In fact, college friends often become close friends for life.
You may be worried about how you will make new friends.
You will probably meet some people you like in the first few days of school, and you will meet more in your classes, in clubs or sports, and through other friends.
If it takes a while to find people you click with, don't worry; it will happen.
Roommates can be terrific friends or great sources of stress.
Even roommates who like each other might clash over things like cleaning, bedtimes, and music.
Talk about these things over early on and you will be less likely to have problems later.
If you and your roommate just can't get along, talk with your resident advisor (RA) about how to handle your roommate problem.
Missing Home
Many students miss home—even those who've been away from home before.
Feeling homesick doesn’t make you less mature or mean that you are not ready to be on your own.
It just means you are human!
Here are a few tips that may help:
Talk with your friends about it. Chances are they're feeling the same way.
Keep in touch with family and friends back home, but make sure you develop new relationships at school.
Still having trouble? Try talking with a counselor.
Remember that going home for visits may be hard. You've changed. Your family has changed. Even your home friends may have changed.
Old conflicts don't disappear, and new ones may come up. Again, if things are too stressful for you to handle alone, talk with a counselor.
Dealing with Depression and Anxiety
There will be days when you feel down, when the pressures of college life really get to you. Those feelings are normal.
When you feel down or anxious, take some time out for yourself and do something that makes you feel good.
Spend time with friends. Exercise. Read a good book.
Sometimes feeling down can turn into depression. Depression is a serious illness that can be treated. If you have had any of the following symptoms for 2 weeks or more, see a counselor right away:
Sad mood
Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, or guilty
Loss of pleasure in things you usually enjoy
Sleep problems
Eating problems
Low energy, extreme tiredness, trouble concentrating
Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or body aches that do not respond to treatment
If at any time you have thoughts of death or suicide, seek help immediately. Do not think you can handle depression on your own. If one of your friends seems depressed, suggest that they see a counselor as soon as possible.
Alcohol and Drug Use on Campus
Drinking is common on most college campuses.
Most college students drink and a large number drink too much.
Binge drinking (having 5 or more drinks in a short time) is common among all students
Heavy or binge drinking can lead to physical illness, long-term drinking problems, and even death.
Drinking is known to increase sexual aggressiveness, which can lead to sexual harassment and date rape.
Drinking also clouds your judgment. You can't think straight when you're drunk.
When you have been drinking alcohol, your reaction time increases. Being able to react quickly is very important while driving. Never drive after drinking. Don't let friends drink and drive. Don't ride with someone who has been drinking.
You're also more likely to make unhealthy choices such as having unsafe sex, which may lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
The legal drinking age in the United States is 21.
The best way to prevent drinking-related problems is to not drink. If you are 21 and choose to drink, be smart. That means you don't have more than 1 or 2 drinks and only drink with people you know.
See a school counselor if:
You feel that you need to cut down on your drinking.
Your friends are concerned about your drinking.
You ever feel guilty about something you have done while drinking.
Making Healthy Decisions about Sex
College is often a time when young people begin to explore their sexuality.
If you want to wait to have sex, you are not alone.
No matter what your decision is about sex, be smart about it. Don't do things that will put your health at risk.
Remember, having sex can expose you to sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, or HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Use a reliable form of birth control and remember that only barrier protection with condoms will protect against some (but not all) infections.
One type of disease called human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cancers of the mouth and throat, cervix, and genitals in teens and adults. There is a vaccine that can protect you against some strains of HPV.
College may also be a time for sorting out your sexual identity.
If you are questioning your sexual identity, talking with a counselor may help.
Many colleges have support and social groups for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students or for students still trying to sort things out.
These groups can help students feel less isolated.
Important Reminders Regarding College and Your Health Care
Suicide Hotline Number 988, you can call or text
If at any time you have thoughts of death or suicide, seek help immediately.
Do not think you can handle depression on your own.
If one of your friends seems depressed, suggest that he or she see a counselor as soon as possible.
This publication was adapted from information from the American Academy of Pediatrics Patient education material.
Reviewed by: SC M.D., AR D.O., TT D.O ǀ 10/2024