Keeping Healthy on Campus

Communicable diseases such as influenza spread quickly on college campuses and vaccination is the best way students can protect themselves. Encourage your student to get an annual flu shot. Many students will not readily get a flu shot without some nudging from parents. Student Health offers a number of on campus flu clinics in the fall months, both at the health center and out on campus. We also can give the flu shot by appointment.

The meningitis vaccines, while not required for enrollment, are strongly advised particularly for freshmen and students living in residence halls. Meningitis can be life altering or even fatal; although rare, cases can spread quickly and the results can be devastating. Student Health offers vaccines for both serotypes ACYW and meningitis B year round by appointment or you may prefer to have your student vaccinated at your home healthcare provider office prior to coming to campus.

Encourage students to practice good hygiene practices to help control germs and keep themselves healthy. College environments can provide for easy transmission of many viral, bacterial, and other communicable diseases such as colds, staph infections (MRSA), noroviruses (e.g. “stomach flu”), scabies infestations, and many others. Often, the best prevention for these types of problems is through good hand washing, avoidance of shared utensils/cups/towels/linens, and cleaning of commonly touched surfaces.