Nebraska Schools Fight Staph Infection

Student Health Insurance

The chickering group is a group that partners with schools working to provide more students with affordable health insurance.

Thank You!

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions! They are greatly appreciated!

HPV: Human Papillomavirus

Wednesday, November 28, I spoke with Fred Nakamura, M.D. about trends with the student health center. Here is my interview...





Q: What is a trend you see among students here at CSULB?
A: HPV is a growing problem on this campus and in the nation. We have someone at the health center that only works with students infected with HPV and she has time for nothing else.

Q: What is HPV?
A: It stands for Human papillomavirus. It is very common STD among women especially. By age 50, atleast 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. The worst part is that most people infected, don't even know that they are infected.

Q: What are the symptoms?
A: There are usually no symptoms, but some people get genital warts. There is good news though, in most cases, especially for women under the age of 20, the symptoms and infection will clear on their own.

Q: Is there a cure?
A: No. It does go away on its own in most women, but there are treatments provided for the visible symptoms of HPV, like the genital warts.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: Well, as a doctor here, I see that each generation has its new disease or virus. Every ten years a trend develops with one particular STD or virus, as a precaution, students should practice abstinence/safe-sex.

Student Health Insurance

I want to know...
(post your answers under comments please!)

1. Do you have health insurance?

If yes, is your coverage through your parents?

2. Have you been to the student health center?

If yes, how many times?

3. How do you feel about schools making it mandatory for students to have medical coverage?


Please list your name, age, major, and hometown.
Thank you!

Staphylococcus

Many inquiries have been made regarding staph infection, or staphylococcus. It is becoming more and more popular among college students.

There are different types of infection ranging from boils to flesh-eating infections. The most common type of infection is called cellulitis, and it affects the skin’s deeper layers. It starts out as a small inflammation that is tender. The inflamed area may swell or turn red on the skins surface or become an open skin sore or ulcer.

Staph infection can be treated with antibiotics.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Health care-associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year in American hospitals."

Why, you ask? Because places such as hospitals are hotbeds for staphylococcus.

According to Kidshealth.org, "These bacteria can live harmlessly on many skin surfaces, especially around the nose, mouth, genitals, and anus. But when the skin is punctured or broken for any reason, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection." When a patient recieves a vaccination or anyone acquires an injury, the bacteria can easily enter the body and begin its course.

Let's face it, college students are likely to acquire injuries. When that injury is acquired in a bacteria infested dorm room, the results are a breeding ground for staph.

The Great American Smokeout (contest winner)

Relating back to a previous post "Goin' Cold Turkey," The Great American Cancer Society held a video contest to promote people to quit smoking. Here's the winner!

News Profile

The director of Student Health Services at California State University, Long Beach, Renee A. Twigg, has her work cut out for her. Between assisting and planning events on campus and managing different aspects of the student health center, where does one find time to breathe?

“Without my staff, Student Health Services wouldn’t be what it is today.” Twigg said. “One person certainly cannot do it all.” Twigg gives well-deserved credit to the large staff at the student health center. The phone operators, the pharmacists, the cashier, the doctors, the nurses, the receptionists, the clinicians, the radiologists, down to the people in charge of managing medical records are what pull everything together.

Many costs of the student health center are covered by tuition,” said Twigg. “Prescriptions and appointments are next to nothing compared to a regular medical office, especially for students without health insurance.” Many students in college do not have health insurance, which makes the student health center all the more convenient.

“Students without health insurance is a growing problem on campus and for the entire country” Twigg says that many students will not visit a doctor when they are in need of medical attention simply because they do not have insurance. Student Health Services solves that problem, for the most part.

“Obviously there are numerous problems that the student health center isn’t equipped to solve, but for many of your basic problems, we have answers and solutions.” Twigg said. Problems arise when students ignore their health.

After hesitation, Twigg said that the one message or word of advice she would like to communicate to all the students on campus would be for them to stop by and visit.

“A regular check-up is the best thing you could do for yourself, I think of it as a preventative measure.” It doesn't make a difference if the check-up is an on or off campus medical center.

“I chose to work on a campus because I enjoy working with and helping students. I know what it’s like to be in their shoes, always at school or work, avoiding illness when it comes. I want to help them,” said Twigg. “I enjoy my job, it’s fulfilling.” Despite the fulfillment Twigg gets from her job, every task faces challenge.

“Sometimes my job is very stressful, coordinating events, making sure things run smoothly; it doesn’t always work out the way I plan,” said Twigg. Sometimes planned events end up never happening. “I’m not always in control.”

Behind all of the events, behind all the planning, there you find Renee Twigg.

New News, Who Knew?

Just a brief on what's to come...

On December 3rd, there is going to be a counseling session called New Attitudes about Food. All students are welcome and it is being held in LA3-105 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

“This support group provides a forum for sharing experiences, expressing feelings, sharing information, receiving feedback, and determining new ways to cope with eating related concerns,” said Renee Twigg, SHS director. “We also have several HIV testing and counseling sessions, with rapid same-day results, coming up in the month of December.”

Campus-wide and Campus Looooong

As we all know, between late-night studying and late-night jobs we all have a hard time trying to squeeze exercise into the mix, and with late-night snacks inbetween, our health isn't necessarily as great as our grades are.

Thank God we have such a big campus.

I know that I have cursed the ground I walk on many mornings at 7:50 a.m., just ten minutes before my class across campus begins. Despite running late and sweating upon class arrival, going to class is actually a good form of exercise.

"Students do a lot of walking on campus, it does more good for them than they realize" said Nurse Practitioner Evelyn Lowe. Many of the nurses at the student health center agree on this statement.

We all deal with the struggles of time management from time to time, but enjoy your walk to class.... it will make up for the late night pizza delivery.

Goin' Cold Turkey

Smokeout. A campus event planned for November 18th with the goal to help students at CSULB to quit smoking. In exchange for the students pack of cigarettes, they will recieve a turkey sandwich, since they are goin' cold turkey.

The Cal State Long Beach Health Science Student Association (HSSA) helped to plan the event. It is a national event sponsored by the American Cancer Society in which many different schools participate.

Smokeout is an annual event featuring games and educational information about cigarette smoking and free give-aways, such as quit kits.

"The event will also feature a graveyard with fake tombstones along the Friendship Walk, featuring the names of celebrities who have died from smoking." People are allowed to bring photos of people they know that died from smoking and create their own tombstones.

In an article by Rachel Furlong a writer for CSULB 49er i found that "In addition to HSSA, the CSULB Center for Health Care Innovation Tobacco Control Program, the Health Centers Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Prevention Program, Campuses Organized and United for Good Health, the American Cancer Society and the Long Beach Department of Health Tobacco Control and Prevention Program are collaborating to put together the event."

Though it seems exciting and encouraging, students and other smokers wonder how much this program will "help with their addiction."

Fire! Fire!

Ryan Barker, 20, a Pre-Med student at San Diego State University witnessed one of the fires in Southern California that all-together destroyed 38,000 acres of land. Here at CSULB there were reports of soar throats and numerous people walked around campus with masks covering their mouths and noses. If it affected the air quality here at CSULB, imagine in San Diego, miles away from the action.

How did the fire affect yours and other students health?

It actually didn't really affect me. I stayed inside most of the time. As far as other students, I don't think it took a toll because the majority of the campus was empty.

How did it affect your school?

Our school was on voluntary evacuation for a week. I stayed. Classes were cancelled after one half day for the rest of the week. Having classes cancelled really screwed up my grades and our whole system. Midterms were rescheduled and now our upcoming tests have more weight on our overall grade. Campus was so smokey, the gym and local stadium was used as an evacuation center.

How did it affect your work? (In 'N' Out)

It didn't, work was just as busy.

Did you see the fire?

One morning I woke up at about 2 a.m. and I could see the flames from out of my window. It was pretty surreal. They were only about 3 miles away.

How did everyone react?

Some people were scared...but a lot of people went home.

My goal is to try and find out how many students visited the student health center due to how the fires affected them.

Family Pact

I know I have already written an article regarding prescription prices of birth control, but after speaking with Nurse Practitioner Evelyn Lowe, I discovered that most female college students are eligible for a government program called Family PACT. Family PACT is a program that provides family planning no-cost services to low-income men and women. With this program people are eligible for free birth control. Below is the hotline number incase any of you are interested. Another way to enroll in this program is by going to Planned Parenthood, located at the corner of Bellflower and Del Amo. However, in order to apply for Family PACT through planned parenthood you must utilize at least one of their services. Lowe said she "hopes that CSULB will be offering the opportunity for girls to sign up for Family PACT in the near future."
They also provide other services such as counceling and education.

QUICK FACT: Birth Control is more than just a preventative measure, it is also used to regulate the female menstruel cycle and reduce painful cramps.


Family Pact Hotline: 800-942-1054

"Wait...there's a health center on campus?"

I created a poll last week asking students how many times, if ever, they have been to the student health center. Even though only six students voted, the majority have never been.

Maybe they don't know where it is located?? Right next to Brotman Hall.

Maybe they don't have health insurance?? Doesn't matter. Your tuition pays for it!

Maybe.... maybe they just don't get sick.

Regardless of your reason, the student health center offers many valuable services, as I have already explained.

Don't be afraid to go check it out, maybe it can help you in ways you never imagined. :o)

DiD YoU kNoW??

Who is eligible for the services offered at CSULB's health center?

I'll tell you who.

You.

Yeah, you.

All regularly enrolled students registered for the current semester who have paid the $45.00 mandatory health fee are eligible for services. Most services are covered under the basic service fee with the exception of pharmacy, external labs and x-ray copies.Students taking classes through University College and Extension Services (UCES) can receive health services for a fee of $15.00 per visit, while classes are in session.Taking a semester off? Continuing students are eligible for services by paying the $45.00 health fee at Student Health Services.

"But It's Just The Flu..."

I interviewed Nop T. Ratanasiripong, RN, MSN, CCRC. She also holds the title of Assistant Director and Coordinator of Resources and Quality Assurance for Student Health Services. To get in touch with Ratanasiripong, below I have included her telephone number and fax number as well as email address.

Though her time was limited, I did have a few minutes to ask a couple of general questions. Check it out below:

Laura: What should I inform students about as far as health issues that they should be concerned with?

Ratanasiripong: The health concerns for college students are various, sometimes based on season such as in Fall/Winter, the health issues will be more related to Upper respiratory infection (cold, flu). They should be concerned with general health issues all the time such as stress, women's health (pap smear), sexual transmitted infection, urinary tract infection, and other injuries.

L: What are frequent issues at the health center?

R: The same as [above]

L: What word of advice do you have for students who don't visit a doctor regularly, or don't care for their bodies when they are sick?

R: This is tough to advice. When one does not care for their bodies when they are sick, it may mean that one does not put first priority on health,"I am too busy with class, I can not see a doctor," or one is not aware that health issues can cause further harm, "It is OK, I may just have a bug, I will wait and I will get better," which is understandable. Since now the internet is widely used, what they can do (when they are so busy) is at least to go online to check out more information on what they are experiencing. Their are reliable websites such as www.cdc.gov or www.mayoclinic.com. More importantly, when the sickness is not resolving by its own, one should seek medical care.

So there you have it, it's not always best to sit around and wait for your problems to solve themselves. As Ratanasiripong said, even if you don't have time to visit a doctor, go online! If your health issues continue, seeking medical care is always best. Even better, that medical care is available on campus before, between, and after your classes.

I know that the student health center has many wonderful services to offer. I want to make sure the students of CSULB, myself included, fully take advantage of the services that our tuitoin pays for.

Here's a funny little video for your enjoyment :o)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3982512675782085047&q=student+health&total=560&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0


nratanas@csulb.edu
Phone: (562)985-7075
Fax: (562)985-8404

"Safety, Mental Health, and Student Behavior at CSULB"

The Campus Climate Committee and the Faculty Center for Professional Development will be holding a panel discussion on "Safety, Mental Health, and Student Behavior at CSULB," on Tuesday, October 30, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The discussion will be held at the Anatol Conference Center. This is being hosted in part by the Student Health Center.

Panel members that will be speaking are Chief Jack Pearson, University Police, Dr. Mary Ann Takemoto, Counseling and Psychological Services, Holly Harbinger, Assoc. VP Academic Personnel, and Dr. Mike Hostetler, Dean of Students.

The reason for this panel discussion is partly because of the incident at Virginia Tech University earlier this year, the sexual assaults on our campus last year, and the concerns such as street lighting on campus. The Campus Climate Committee wanted to address these issues for students that have expressed concern. Everyone is invited: Faculty, staff, and students. All are encouraged to attend.


Just incase you're interested, below is a link for a video covering the Virginia Tech tragedy earlier this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPQDEpasDdc

Sexual Health Awareness

A sexual health awareness workshop (SHAW) is being held this Tuesday, Oct. 9th by the Student Health Resource Center and will be open to all, not limited to students. The workshop is being held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in room 268.

SHAW is a free two-hour workshop that takes place numerous times throughout the year. Topics discussed include "gynecological exam, clinical breast exam, breast and testicular self-exam, birth control methods, STIs and HIV/AIDS, safer sex techniques, and partner communication." Females are encouraged to bring their partners.

Young women are able to obtain birth control and learn how to practice a healthy sex life. Below is listed the types of birth control offered by the student health center and their costs.

Birth Control Prices (All prices subject to change)
Types of Birth Control and Cost

Birth Control Pills
Aviane (generic for Alesse) $12.65
Cyclessa $2.50
Apri (generic for Desogen) $2.20
Kariva (generic for Mircette) $17.40
Mononessa (generic for Ortho Cyclen) $22.05
Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo $5.00
Portia (generic for Nordette) $12.65
Trinessa (generic for Ortho TriCyclen) $22.20
Yasmin $51.35
Seasonique (3 month supply) $155.45
Vaginal Ring
Nuva Ring $35.10
Injection ("The Shot")
Depo Provera (one injection/3 months) $52.00

If the designated workshops do not work with your schedule, the student health center will allow seperate appointments to be scheduled.

Don't be intimidated, health should be a top priority! The student health center is here to assist!

The Risks of Dorm Life

The excitement of starting college and moving into a dorm room can be overwhelming, young adults are obtaining the freedom they always desired throughout high school. What many students do not know, is that every freedom is accompanied with risk and responsibility. One of those risks is Meningococcal disease, and one of those responsiblities is getting the vaccination.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. Above is a picture showing the meninges, where the infection occurs.

According to Student Health Services, about 2,600 people get meningococcal disease each year in the US, 10-15 percent of these people die, in spite of treatment with antibiotics. Of those who live, another 11-19 percent lose their arms or legs, become deaf, become mentally retarded, or suffer seizures or strokes.

Of the recorded cases each year, 100-125 occur on college campuses. By getting the vaccination, it can prevent many people from getting sick and protects about 90 percent of those who do get sick.

CSULB offers meningitis vaccine clinics for enrolled students each fall. For more information, Student Health Services can be reached at (562) 985-4771

For further information on meningitis, here is an interesting article:

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/meningitis.html