Student Health Center
Student Health Center |
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WELCOME TO THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTERAt the Student Health Center, we believe you should develop personal responsibility for your health during your years at Georgetown. Staying healthy will give you a competitive edge, both now and in the future. Maximize your education at Georgetown by improving your health and staying healthy. The care you receive will be based upon an important partnership with you. Primary physical and psychological healthcare and health education are provided through the Student Health Center, the Counseling and Psychiatric Service and Health Education Services.
HOT TOPICSImmunization and Tuberculosis Screening Certificates for Incoming StudentsThe deadline for submisission of the Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Certificate for new and incoming students entering with the Fall 2011 semester is July 1, 2011. If you have not already done so, please submit the form as soon as possible. The form may found on our website by following the Forms link. You can download the form there. The health center stays busy during the summer and fall months verifying and entering immunization data for each new student, so the sooner you submit your form the better. For more information regarding submission of the form, please see our Frequently Asked Questions section. Beginning in the fall of 2008, meningitis vaccination was made a requirement for incoming freshman living in residence halls. For more information about meningitis, please see the Meningitis Fact Sheet. You may choose to waive the meningits vaccination requirement but you must first read the fact sheet and then sign and submit the Meningitis Vaccine Waiver form when you submit your immunization certificate. MRSA Skin Infections Need Prompt TreatmentThere has been an increase in news media coverage of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a type of Staph bacteria which is resistant to certain antibiotics. Here at Georgetown we periodically see a number of infections throughout the year, and recently they were several that were identified in one dormitory over a several week period. While still primarily a healthcare setting infection (hospital-acquired) MRSA infections have been occurring with more frequency in settings not associated with a hospital or healthcare facility (community-acquired). These community-acquired infections can also cause skin infections and recently many college campuses, including Georgetown, have noted a slight increase in the number of these types of skin infections. If you develop a skin infection that initially looks like a pimple or boil but then becomes swollen, painful or filled with pus, you should call the Health Center for an appointment to be seen within 24 hours. These types of infections need prompt treatment. There are several situations which may increase your risk of acquiring an MRSA infection. They include:
In an effort to keep Staph infections, including MRSA, from spreading, the Student Health Center recommends the following:
These recommendations are consistent with those put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For more information about MRSA infections occuring in the community visit their website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html HPV Vaccine Available at the Health CenterA new vaccine which protects against several types of the human papilloma virus (HPV) was recently approved and recommended for females 11 through 26 years of age. The vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV, but does protect against those types that cause the majority of cervical cancers and genital warts. Beginning in early November 2006, the Student Health Center has made available this new vaccine, called Gardasil, for women in this age group. Previously the SHC had been purchasing the vaccine directly for students and then billing individual insurances for the vaccine. However, due to the very high cost of the vaccine and the inadequate reimbursement by many insurance companies, the SHC is no longer able to purchase the vaccine in advance. In order to be able to continue to offer the vaccine, the health center has developed the following system for those women who wish to be vaccinated:
We realize this change from our initial policy of purchasing the vaccine ourselves will be an inconvenience for some students. However, we are committed to continuing to offer the vaccine, and believe our new system will work well for most, if not all students. Our new policy is in fact consistent with other clinics within Georgetown University Hospital, with many private doctors' offices, and with many college health centers. Meningitis Vaccine Available at SHCMeningitis is a serious disease that affects the brain and spinal cord , and can rapidly progress to death if not diagnosed and treated. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that students be vaccinated against meningitis prior to entry in high school. This recommendation also applies to unvaccinated college students (particularly freshman living in dormitories) who are at a greater risk for meningitis than the general population. Meningitis vaccination is now a requirement at Georgegown University for freshman living in residence halls, but is also available to other students as well. If you have not yet been vaccinated you should consider getting vaccinated against meningitis. If you would still like to receive the vaccine, please call the clinic and make an appointment with the nurse to get the meningitis shot. The cost of the vaccine is $125 and there is also an additional administration fee. This vaccine is sometimes covered by insurance although coverage varies according to each specific plan so you should check your individual plan carefully. Sports Medicine Services Available for Recreational AthletesStudent Health Center has expanded services available to evaluate and treat sports medicine related conditions. Our Sports Medicine consultations are coordinated by Dr. Veena Chawla, a physician who is board-certified in both family medicine and sports medicine. At the health center Dr. Chawla provides care for both competitive athletes as well as recreational athletes, such as the intramural player, runners, or those playing pickup basketball or ultimate frisbee! If you believe you a have sports-related injury or condition and would like to consult with Dr. Chawla, please make an appointment with her by calling 202-687-2200. Sale of Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is RestrictedLast year a new federal law went into effect limiting the amount of pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) a person could buy in a one-month period. Pseudoephedrine is a common ingredient found in many cold preparations and one commonly sold brand is "Sudafed". You can still purchase these products but pharmacies are now required to keep them at the front counter and you will have to sign a log book and show a state-issued ID in order to buy them. There is no age requirement but you are limited to a certain amount per month. People taking these products for the treatment of cold symptoms should have no trouble obtaining adequate amounts easily. These new restrictions are aimed at reducing the use of pseudoephedrine in the illegal production of methamphetamine. For more information about this new law, go to http://www.fmi.org/gr/METH_summary_clean_update3_06_logo.pdf .
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