Allergies are generally a major cause of seasonal or year-round nose and sinus problems. Allergies are caused by a release of a chemical substance in the body called histamine. This chemical is responsible for producing the symptoms of allergies. Allergies can appear at any age, and often run in families. Allergic reactions can result from things such as; certain foods, plants, pollens, dust, animal hair, feathers, molds, soaps, cosmetics, and clothes.

Signs and symptoms of allergies include:

• Itching or watery eyes
• Skin rashes such as eczema or hives
• Chronic colds
• Nasal or sinus congestion
• Itching
• Sneezing
• Runny nose

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment as SHS. Allergies can be effectively treated and controlled.

If you are receiving Allergy Immunotherapy (shots), we can arrange to keep your serums and administer your injections. The cost is $2.00 per shot.

Anxiety can range from uneasiness to extreme panic and fear. Other types of anxiety include; Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

If your anxiety is frequent, severe, or interferes with your life, consult with a Mental Health professional at Student Health Services.

Anxiety is an illness and can be treated effectively. Anxiety at any level that impacts your life negatively can benefit from treatment.

What causes anxiety?

1. Genetics - Research suggests that people with a family history of any anxiety disorder are more likely to develop one.
2. Life Experiences - Some disorders, such as phobias and PTSD, as well as panic attacks result from specific traumas.

Depression is a medical illness. People don't choose to be depressed, and it is not because you are weak or lazy. Depression affects 17 million people in the U.S. each year and is twice as common in women as in men.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Feeling sad nearly every day for 2 weeks or longer
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Lack of energy
• Sleep or appetite changes
• Weight changes
• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness
• Not being able to make decisions
• Excessive feelings of guilt
• Loss of sexual desire
• Thoughts of death or suicide

The exact cause of depression is not known. It is known that chemical imbalances in the brain, along with genetic and life influences can be responsible for your moods.

Depression can be treated with medications and counseling. Also exercising, eating well and avoiding alcohol can help.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms --DON'T WAIT. Make an appointment with a Nurse Practitioner or Mental Health Therapist at Student Health Services today.

Anorexia, bulimia and binge eating are all eating disorders. They involve serious medical and emotional issues, and an affected person needs immediate help.

Signs of an eating disorder:

• Hate the thought of body fat
• Exercises often and too excessively
• Uses steroids or supplements
• Skips meals often
• Eats the same thing day after day
• Has conflicts with family or friends over how much or how often they eat
• Vomiting after eating
• Use of diuretics or laxatives after eating
• Secret eating binges

Eating disorders can be life threatening!

Student Health Services can provide collaborative care with our Nurse Practitioners (monitor health status), and Mental Health Therapists (deal with causative emotional issues), as well as support groups.

If you think you may be suffering from an eating disorder, contact SHS today for an appointment.

Illness affects all systems of the body. The care providers at Student Health Services treat a variety of common acute and chronic illnesses. They include, but are not limited to...

Abdominal pain
Acne
ADHD
Allergies
Anemia
Asthma
Anxiety

Bronchitis
Bursitis

Cellulitis
Contusions

Depression
Diabetes
Diarrhea

Ear problems
Eczema
Eye problems

Foot pain

Gastritis
Gastroenteritis
GERD

Headaches
Herpes
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertension

Influenza
Ingrown toenails
Insomnia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Mononucleosis

Neck pain

Peptic Ulcer disease
Pneumonia

Sexually transmitted diseases
Sinusitis
Skin rashes

Tendonitis
Thyroid disorders

Upper respiratory infections

Vaginal infections

Wart removals

Immunizations offered at SHS:

• Diphtheria/Tetanus and Pertussis booster
• TB testing
  • All new or returning international students are required to have TB testing prior to registration for classes. This testing process takes 48-72 hours to complete. If a student has ever received the BCG vaccine or a positive TB test, a chest x-ray is required. This is another 48-72 hour process. Registration is not allowed until the TB testing is complete. If a student is required to have a chest x-ray they are referred to a community clinic located close to UVU. The cost for the x-ray is $60 and is non-negotiable. 

Please contact SHS for current pricing, as this may change based on manufacturer's pricing.

All other immunization needs or requests are referred to the Utah County Health Department.

Medical Services treat a variety of minor trauma and injuries*. These include but are not limited to:

• Sprains and strains
• Concussions
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Wounds and wound infections
• Insect bites

*Student Health Services does not have radiology capability. If your injury requires an x-ray, you will be referred to a local clinic.

Prices vary according to the extent of your injury and supplies that are used.

Student Health Services offers full-service laboratory testing for any diagnostic serum or urine test.  Pathology services are also available for tissue biopsies.

Commonly ordered tests at SHS:

• Complete blood count
• Chemistry panel
• Cholesterol test
• Hepatitis panel
• Hormone levels
• Influenza test
• Mono spot
• Pregnancy test
• Thyroid level
• Throat culture
• Urinalysis
• Vaccine status (i.e. Hepatitis B, Varicella)
• Additional labs are available upon request

*There is an additional charge for all laboratory services done at SHS.

If you are pregnant and need...

• Referral to an OB physician
• Prenatal vitamins
• Think you may be ill
• Information regarding medication use
• Answers to question or concerns

...make an appointment with one of the Nurse Practitioners

1st Trimester Advice:

• Rest
• Take prenatal vitamins with iron and folic acid
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco and all medications
• Avoid fish, particularly canned tuna
• *May continue work and normal activities
• *May continue to exercise
• *May continue sexual intercourse
• If nausea/vomiting severe - call SHS or your physician
• If vaginal bleeding or lower abdominal cramping occurs, go to bed, drink plenty of fluids and call your physician. If bleeding becomes profuse - go to the Emergency room.

*If no vaginal bleeding or pelvic cramping exists.

Care providers at Student Health Services can prescribe pharmaceuticals, as well as answer questions you might have regarding your medications, or "over the counter" products.

Many medications are very expensive. SHS offers prescription assistance in conjunction with pharmaceutical companies for low-income and uninsured students. Speak with the Nurse Practitioners or Medical Assistants for specific details of these programs.

Medical Services does not stock narcotics or other controlled substances. There is not a pharmacy located on campus.

General guidelines when taking prescribed medications:

1. Follow directions exactly.
2. Finish ALL the medication if instructed.
3. Do not remove medication from the labeled container.
4. Report any side effects to your health care provider.
5. Disclose any allergies.
6. Disclose use of any over the counter, herbals or illegal substances you may be taking prior to starting any new medication.
7. Never share medications.
8. Never take antibiotics unless instructed by your health care provider - "Use the right drug, for the right bug".

Five Habits of Highly Effective Students

1. Eat well and regularly. Make good food choices and avoid fad diets.
2. Drink water! At least 8 full glasses of water a day. Avoid excessive caffeine, carbonation and alcohol.
3. Exercise. Experts recommend 30-45 minutes of daily exercise to lose weight and 30 minutes 3x/week to maintain weight. Exercise will help you concentrate better, relieve stress and have more energy.
4. Get plenty of rest. Go to bed before 11 pm to avoid adverse effects on your natural sleep-wake cycle. If you are well rested, your immune system is strengthened.
5. Wash your hands! This is the most important thing you can do to prevent illness and the spread of disease.

Many times common illnesses are caused by viruses. There is no cure for viral infection. Antibiotics will not help. The best advice is to follow the 5 habits listed above and treat the symptoms. If your illness lasts longer than 10 days, you have a persistent fever, or your symptoms are worsening, then you should make an appointment with your health care provider.

Is it a Virus, Bacteria or Allergy???

Symptom	VIRUS	BACTERIA	ALLERGY
Runny nose?	Often	Rare	Often
Aching muscles?	Usual	Rare	No
Headache?	Often	Sometimes	No
Dizzy?	Often	Rare	No
Fever?	Often	Often	No
Cough?	Often	Sometimes	Sometimes
Raising Sputum?	Rare	Often	Rare
Dry Cough?	Often	Rare	Sometimes
Hoarseness?	Often	Rare	Sometimes
Recurs at particular season?	No	No	Often
Only a single complaint?	Unusual	Usual	Unusual
Do antibiotics help?	No	Yes	No
Can a doctor help?	Seldom	Yes	Sometimes

Student Health Services offers complete comprehensive STI testing, including HIV and other health issues connected to STI's.  To schedule an appointment, a consultation, evaluation, or necessary education which could include testing, please call 801-863-8876. These appointments are always confidential.

In the community, Planned Parenthood and the Utah County Health Department also offer STD and HIV testing. The Utah County Health Department has a walk-in clinic on Wednesdays from 1:00-4:00 pm and has reduced pricing for most STI tests.

STIs are sexually transmitted infections that affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and from all walks of life - in the U.S. alone there are over 26 million new cases each year, about half of which occur among youth ages 15-24 years.

You should get tested for STIs if any of the listed risk factors apply to you:

• You have unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex;
• A condom breaks;
• Your partner has or has had an STI;
• You or your partner inject street drugs;
• You have a new sex partner;
• You have had more than one partner in the past six months;
• Your partner has or had sex with another person;
• You have sex under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol; or
• You are unable to communicate with your partner about your sexual history and ways to reduce risks.

Some STI tests require samples of body fluids such as; urine, semen or vaginal secretions. Others require a simple blood test. SHS Medical Staff will discuss the cost of each test. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that there are more than 25 STIs in existence. Listed here are the four most common STIs in the United States. Click on a specific STI below to learn more.

• Genital HPV Infection
• Trichomoniasis
• Chlamydia
• Genital Herpes
• Gonorrhea

All new or returning international students are required to have TB testing prior to registration for classes. This testing process takes 48-72 hours to complete. If a student has ever received the BCG vaccine or a positive TB test, a chest x-ray is required. This is another 48-72 hour process. We cannot allow registration until the TB testing is complete. Please coordinate your arrival time and registration at UVU accordingly.

If a student is required to have a chest x-ray they are referred to a community clinic located close to UVU. The cost of the x-ray is $60 and is not negotiable.

Student Health Services offers a wide range of care related to women's health issues.

We can provide*:

• Pap smears
• Breast exams (Free in October for National Breast Cancer Awareness month)
• Contraception and contraceptive counseling
• Premarital exams
• Pregnancy testing
• Limited prenatal care
• Care related to PMS, Endometriosis, Ovarian cysts, menstrual problems and vaginitis

We can not provide

• Abortions
• DepoProvera

If you are interested in these services, please contact:

Planned Parenthood
1086 North 1200 West, Orem
801-532-1586

SHS does not do fertility work-up's or care, although we can provide needed laboratory services at a low cost if you are uninsured.

*Pricing varies, please contact SHS for an exact pricing of each service.

www.womenshealth.gov

Student Health Services listing of health-related resources in the community