Cold and Flu Facts
Heartburn and Acid Reflux Disease
Mononucleosis
Sexual Assault and Rape
Sexual Health
- Contraception 
- STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
First Aid Kit
MRSA and skin infections
Stress
Travel Abroad
UTI (Urinary Tract Infections)

Cold and Flu Facts
Both of these illnesses are viral and cannot be treated with antibiotics.  They are spread from person to person by airborne droplets from coughing and sneezing.

For more information on transmission, prevention, and treatment

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Heartburn and Acid Reflux Disease
This condition is caused when stomach acid moves up into the esophagus, the food tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.  Almost everybody gets heartburn or acid indigestion once in a while.  It becomes worrisome when this occurs frequently since the acid causes the esophagus to become inflammed and sore.  This can become serious and lead to problems including ulcers if the condition continues for too long. 

Acid reflux can be cause by

1- Weakness in the muscle tone at the base of the esophagus allowing the acid to leak up from the stomach

2- Overeating at a meal causing the stomach to fill with so much food that it causes the food and acid to leak into the esophagus

3- Stress causing the stomach to secrete more acid than usual

4- Certain foods, medicines, and alcohol which weaken the muscle at the base of the esophagus allowing the acid from the stomach to enter the esophagus easier

Frequently you will experience a burning sensation in the middle of your chest that may get worse after a meal, at night, when lying down or bending over.  Hoarseness, wheezing, nausea and vomiting, pain or difficulty swallowing can also be symptoms.  You can safely try taking an antacid to see if you experience relief.  If the pain persists, we recommend discussing treatment options with your healthcare provider.

For more information on symptoms, self care strategies, medications:

National Heartburn Alliance

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Mononucleosis (Mono)
Mono is a viral illness spread through saliva, frequently called the kissing disease.  Fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, and fever are the classic symptoms.  A Strep throat accompanies some cases of mono.

A diagnosis of mono can usually be confirmed by testing your blood for the presence of mono antibodies after you have been sick for 5-7 days.  It may take this long for your body to produce enough antibodies to be detectable in your blood.  Once your body has developed antibodies, they are always there and that is why you will always test positive to mono for the rest of your life.

Because mono is a viral disease it can not be treated with antibiotics.  Treatment consists of symptom relief, rest, and evaluation for any complications.  Individuals with mono do not need to be quarantined, and it is highly unlikely that roommates will contract mono from each other.

For more info on infectious mononucleosis:

American Academy of Family Physicians

McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois

Sexual Assault and Rape

Definitions
Sexual Assault
This term is used when the sexual contact or assault between the victim and offender is not wanted.   It is different from rape or attempted rape and includes things such as fondling.  This may or may not involve the use of force but includes the use of verbal threats.

Rape
Rape is attempted or forced sexual intercourse including vaginal, anal or oral penetration by the offender(s).   It may involve verbal threats of rape or the use of a foreign object such as a bottle.  ANY sexual contact that occurs without consent is considered rape, even if the victim is unable to give consent due to drugs, alcohol, injury, or other factors.  Rape can be heterosexual or homosexual, happen with someone you know, or a stranger.   Victims can be male as well as female.

Acquaintance Rape/Date Rape/Non-Stranger Rape
These crimes are defined as forced, unwanted sexual intercourse with someone you know.   The person can be someone you have just met, dated a few times or someone you have dated in the past.  This crime is a violation of the victims’ body and trust.  The force involved can include use of physical force, weapons, threats or tone of voice.

What to do if you have been raped?

Safety
First, get to a safe place if you are able.
If you are on campus dial x2222, public safety.
If you are off campus, dial 911, go to an emergency room or call either the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center at (617-492-RAPE/617-492-7273) or the National Sexual Assault Hotline, a free confidential counseling service, operated by RAINN, 24 hours a day at (1-800-656-HOPE/1-800-656-4673).   They can transfer your call to a local rape crisis center.

Support
As soon as you can get medical attention. It is important to determine the risks of STI’s (Sexual Transmitted Infections) and pregnancy.

Seek Support
Do not go through this alone; tell a friend, a nurse, a family member so they can support you during this crisis.  Seek professional counseling.

Self
Do not shower!  Preserving physical evidence is very important.  The urge to “wash away” what happened will be strong. Don’t!  Do not eat, drink, shower, bathe, change your clothes, brush your teeth, douche or throw away clothing.  Evidence can help catch the rapist and prevent it from happening to someone else.  It is up to you to decide if you tell the police and file a report.

Above all else, rape is not your fault.   DO NOT accept the blame for being an innocent victim. 

What to do if a friend has been raped?
Believe
Believe him or her.   Do not ask the “why” questions.  This just blames the victim.
Examples are:    Why were you there?
                         Why didn’t you…..?
                         Why didn’t you scream/run etc?

Support
Encourage your friend to seek medical attention at the emergency room, call 1-800-656-HOPE to be referred to a rape crisis center.   Medical exams are important to detect internal injuries, STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) and pregnancy.  Medical exams collect evidence, should your friend decide to prosecute.

Let your friend make the decisions; do not tell them what to do.

Allow your friend to react to the rape by screaming, yelling or crying, whatever they feel they need to do.   The victim is venting emotions toward the attacker and situation, not at you.  Suggest calling a counselor.

Silence
Let your friend decide who will know about the rape.   It is not your place to tell people.
Listen.   Do not add your opinion.  Say you will always be there to listen or just sit silently with your friend.
Just be a friend.

Safety Awareness
Connect with friends on campus.  Share schedules, cell phone numbers, and family contact information.

Try to stay in groups at parties and go as a group.  Look out for each other and leave together.  Create a plan for meeting if one person wants to stay.  Have a signal between group members if one of you wants to leave fast.  Let someone know where you are and when you will return.

Avoid being alone with someone you do not know.  Be familiar with your surroundings.  A place is only as safe as the people who are in it.

Never accept beverages from someone you do not know.  Do not leave drinks unattended as it provides an opportunity to add drugs or liquor to them.

Be aware of your own limits and do not hesitate to say NO to things you do not want to do.   Trust your instincts.

Sources of more information
Sexual Violence
Rape, Abuse and Incest
Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for Violence Prevention and Recovery
Curry College Counseling Services

Sexual Health

Contraception
The following methods of birth control are prescribed at Health Services.  At Health Services, students can discuss which birth control method might be best for them with a healthcare provider.

Oral Contraceptives
Contraceptive Patch
Vaginal Ring
Contraceptive Injections
IUD (Intrauterine Device)
Male Condoms
Female Condoms
Emergency Contraception

STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)

Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV)
Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis (“Trich”)
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
HIV

First Aid Kit
SUGGESTIONS

With a personal first-aid kit, you can treat minor injuries on your own. You can also care for more serious problems until you can receive professional treatment.

Here are some of the essentials:

• 4” by 4” Gauze pads - for cleaning wounds
• Adhesive tape (1" wide)
• Advil (Ibuprophen) - anti-inflammatory for pain, swelling, and fever
• Alcohol pads or a bottle of isopropyl alcohol for cleaning wounds
• Antacids
• Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin, Neosporin) for cuts and scrapes of the skin
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer
• Band-aids, assorted sizes
• Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) - antihistamine for allergic reactions, itching, and runny nose
• Cold pack (disposable) or gel pack that can be heated or frozen
• Cotton-tipped (Q-tip) swabs
• Cough lozengers
• Cough suppressant
• Digital thermometer
• Elastic Ace bandage (3" wide)
• Electrolyte Drinks (sport drinks, Gatorade)- to replenish sodium, potassium, and calcium in dehydrated states
• Hydrocortisone Steroid ointment - topical medicine for poison ivy and itchy skin
• Hydrogen Peroxide - Bottle for cleansing skin wounds
• Scissors
• Small flashlight and batteries
• Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine)- a decongestant for stuffy nose (or decongestant nose drops like Afrin)
• Throat lozengers
• Tissues
• Tylenol (Acetaminophen) - pain and fever reducer

MRSA and skin infections

MRSAstands for “methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus” and is a kind of Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) bacteria, that is resistant to some kinds of antibiotics. 25-30% of healthy individuals can have staph on their skin or in their nose without any evidence of illness or infection.  Most staph on people’s skin, and most staph causing skin infections, is not MRSA. However, MRSA is becoming increasingly common.

Staph can cause many kinds of skin infections, like pimples, boils, and rashes. It is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, such as shaking hands, wrestling, or other direct contact with the skin of another person. Staph is also spread by contact with items that have been touched by people carrying the bacteria, like towels shared after bathing and drying off, or shared athletic equipment in the gym or on the field.

If you develop warm, painful, red or swollen pimples, rashes, or pus-filled boils, or an area that is not healing, you may have a staph skin infection.   Only a culture of the sore can determine if this is staph or MRSA.

Most MRSA infections are treated by good wound and skin care: keeping the area clean, dry and covered, washing your hands after caring for the area, carefully disposing of any bandages, and allowing your body to heal. Sometimes treatment requires the use of antibiotics or draining the lesion.

Curry College Health Services is available to evaluate, diagnose, and treat skin infections.  Call X2182 for an appointment.

For more information

Mass Department of Public Health

CDC Infection Control

Stress

Stress is a very common problem, especially for college students.  The word “stress” covers a wide range of feelings, and can be brought on by many different things.  Your body naturally deals with stress by creating extra energy, to give you that temporary boost to get through.  However, over time, your body gets worn down.  This can lead to feeling tired, and being more prone to getting sick.

Successful Coping
Trying to manage all the various aspects of life- classes, friends, family, relationships, sports, other activities can be exhausting… the days can be so full that it can be hard to find time to relax!  Here are some simple tricks to managing those stressful times:

Healthy Eating:   when you’re stressed, your body burns up more calories.  By making sure that you are eating well, you are giving your body good fuel to run on.  Eating three meals a day, including a good breakfast, plus snacks of fruits or vegetables throughout the day can keep you energized.

Exercise: stress can build up in your body.  Finding a good outlet for extra energy can leave you feeling more focused.  Find a type of exercise that you enjoy, including taking a walk or going to the gym, and give yourself 20-30 minutes a day to do it.

Sleep: sleep is your body’s “down-time”, when it can relax, recover and get ready for the next day.  When you cut down on sleep time to get other things done, you may not be getting the recovery time you need.  Work with your room mates to establish “quiet hours” when everyone can sleep, and try to avoid “all-nighters” to finish a project.

Plan Ahead: time management can relieve some stress.   Use a planner, or a calendar, and know when the big papers, important games or big events are coming.   Then, try to get other things done ahead of time so that you don’t feel as overwhelmed. 

Deep Breathing: find a quiet space where you feel relaxed.  Lie comfortably on your back and bend your knees, to let your abdomen relax.  Focus on taking slow, steady, deep breaths that make your abdomen rise and fall (not just your shoulders).  Try breathing in through your nose, and then letting the air out slowly through your mouth.  Repeat this until you feel yourself becoming calmer.  You can do this whenever you want.

Support on Campus
Both Health Services and the Counseling Center offer many resources, including assistance with stress management.  You can make an appointment with either by calling x2182

For more information

Traveling Abroad

Here are some things you might want to consider:

Travel Medicines- You might need to get additional immunizations for the country to which you’re traveling.  Start thinking about this at least 6 weeks before you leave, as some medicines need to be started before you leave, or need more than one dose.   Consult your healthcare provider or a travel clinic.

Sun Block- If you are traveling to warmer climates, or planning on being outside (skiing, etc), you will need to protect your skin.   SPF 30 or greater provides best protection.

Food and Water- Be cautious about where and what you eat.   If possible, avoid eating at roadside stands or eating raw or undercooked foods.   Bacteria and parasites can live on food that is not cooked well.  Drink only water, juices and sodas that are out of sealed containers, whenever possible.  This can protect you from illnesses that can come from drinking contaminated water. 

Drinking Alcohol-   Be aware of where you are, and do not drink alcohol in a place where you do not feel safe.   As always, drink in moderation, and be sure that you have a safe way to get back to your hotel or hostel.   Always go out in groups; never travel alone, or with strangers, and never accept a drink from someone you do not know or that you did not see prepared.

Driving-  Take licensed buses/taxis where available; don’t accept rides from unknown people.   Avoid motorcycles/scooters, and wear seatbelts whenever possible. 

Daily Prescription Medicines- If you take any medications, make sure that you have enough to get you through the entire trip, plus a few extra days.   Then, make sure you keep that medicine with you (not in checked bags that can get lost).  Avoid buying medicines in foreign countries.  Plan on bringing with you whatever medications you will want for the trip.

Emergencies­- Have a plan for what to do in case of an emergency and consider travel health insurance.   Share information with your travel companions, such as who to call if you’re sick.   Also, make sure that someone at home knows where you are, and when you plan on being back.  If you need help, the U.S. Embassy can be a good resource.  You can also register your trip with the U.S. State Department, in case of emergencies.

Be Prepared- traveling with some basics can make your trip safer and more enjoyable.   See this website for a list of what to pack:

Traveler's Health Kit

CDC Travel Site

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the urethra or bladder.   Bacteria are present on your skin all the time, even after you shower.   These bacteria can get pushed into the urethra (often by sex), and cause the infection.  A urinary tract infection can spread to the kidneys causing a much more serious infection if it is not treated. It is uncommon for a man to have a UTI, but women have them often.

Signs to look for:

• Feeling like you have to urinate all the time
• An uncomfortable, burning or painful sensation while urinating
• Feeling like you can’t fully empty your bladder
• Blood in the urine and/or a strange smelling urine
• Lower abdominal pain

While you are in the office, a quick and simple lab test checks your urine sample for signs of infection.   Sometimes the urine is also sent out to a lab for a culture to determine the type of bacteria and appropriate treatment.   The culture usually takes 2-3 days before we have results.  

Treatment

• You may be prescribed antibiotics.   If you are, TAKE ALL THE PILLS PRESCRIBED, even after you start feeling better.   If you don’t finish all of the pills, the infection may come back, and it will be harder to treat the second time. Since medication is started before having the urine culture results, on rare occasions, the antibiotic may need to be changed when the results are received. You will be called regarding your results and need to change medication if necessary. 
• Drink lots of fluids!
• Rest. Your body is busy fighting an infection, so it’s a good time to limit activity, and get as much rest and sleep as possible.
• Avoid alcohol.   Alcohol is a diuretic (makes you urinate more often), which can make you more uncomfortable.

For more information:

Urinary Tract Infections