The Student Health Center (SHC) supports academic achievement through the delivery of convenient, cost- effective health care combined with health education in a manner consistent with the educational mission of UNCW.

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Latest News

Health Insurance to be required for UNCW students

Within the next year, health insurance will be required for all UNCW students. This may be insurance the students bring with them (family, employer, etc), insurance they purchase through the school, or a combination of both plans. Students who have their own insurance and do not want to purchase the insurance through the school will need to complete an on-line waiver each fall, providing details about their current insurance plan. Any student who does not waive out of the insurance plan will be charged the premium and automatically enrolled in the program.

Students who wish to enroll in the insurance plan will be able to go online to complete their enrollment.

Details about the vendor and the plan specifics will be available in mid-May. Please check back for details. At this point, we are planning to begin this program in January 2010.

By participating in a student health insurance program utilized by the entire UNC system, it appears we will be able to offer students a better insurance plan at a lower cost than in the past.

For students wishing to purchase insurance for Fall 2009 we will still be offering the voluntary plan through Pearce & Pearce. Click on the Student Insurance header on the left to obtain information on this plan.

ABOUT (MRSA) STAPH INFECTIONS

   Staph is short for Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria. Staph is a common “germ,” as 25 to 30% of humans have it living on the skin or in the nose at any one time. Staph can cause infections, such as boils and abscesses in the skin, and potentially more serious infections inside the body.  Staph infections are not new: Staph has caused infections in humans for eons.

   MRSA  is short for Methicillin Resistant Staph aureus. A growing percentage of Staph is now MRSA. The MRSA form of Staph has evolved, in that it does not respond to standard antibiotic treatment used for Staph in the past. It does respond to different antibiotics, and, like “regular” Staph, drainage of pus collections.

   For many years, MRSA was seen primarily in hospitals and long-term care facilities, but in recent years it has become more common in “community” settings, especially where people have close physical contact.

   MRSA infections often appear first as a small red bump on the skin, resembling a big pimple or “spider bite” and then swell and redden further, become painful, and fill with pus. It is important to seek medical care at this time, so the infection can be treated before it spreads. Proper medical treatment of skin lesions usually prevents the infection from becoming more serious.

   Staph/MRSA infection is transmitted through direct contact with infected skin, or by handling or sharing items that have come in contact with a draining lesion. MRSA is not a respiratory illness and is not transmitted through coughing or sneezing (like colds and flu).

Practicing good hygiene is important to prevent spread of Staph infections and other illnesses. Remember to …

• Keep your hands clean by washing frequently with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
• Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, utensils, water bottles, cups, chapstick, cigarettes, etc.
• Use a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment

A excellent, more detailed educational handout, “Living with MRSA,” can be found at:

http://www.unc.edu/depts/spice/LivingWithMRSA.pdf

For further information, go to:

CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html

HIV Testing

US Center for Disease Control (CDC) and infectious disease experts recommend that Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 be routinely tested for HIV. Routine testing would catch infections earlier, making treatment more effective, plus help stop the spread of HIV. The CDC recommends that HIV testing be as common as a cholesterol check.

HIV Testing is available at the Student Health Center for $15. The cost of testing is small; the peace of mind and prevention of the spread of disease from testing is huge.

For HIV/STD testing, please come to the SHC in the early morning hours, prior to 10 am, to make test collection as quick and easy as possible.

Plan B® available at UNCW Pharmacy without a prescription

Plan B® is an urgent contraception medicine, also known as the “morning after pill”. It is available without a prescription/need to see a medical provider (unless age < 18).

Plan B® is a backup method for preventing pregnancy and is not intended for routine contraceptive use. Plan B® can reduce the chances of pregnancy after unplanned or unprotected sex.  Examples: a condom broke during intercourse; forgot to take two or more birth control pills in a row; sexually assaulted (forced intercourse). Plan B® is not an abortion pill such as the RU-486 medication. Plan B® is used to prevent pregnancy; it will not work if a female is already pregnant, and it will not affect an existing pregnancy. For maximum effectiveness, Plan B® should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. It is best to take Plan B® within 72 hours after intercourse, but it can help up to 5 or 6 days after intercourse.

The cost of Plan B® is $ 35 at the Student Health Services Pharmacy. Regulations require students to present both a UNCW ONECard and a driver’s license. If < 18yo or lacking this ID, students can still check into the Student Health Center and see a provider to obtain a prescription for Plan B®.