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.

Click here to get information for After Hours Care.

Latest News

Seasonal Flu Shots 2009- Campus Wide Clinic

Tuesday, November 17th, 6:30am to 5:00pm in the Burney Center. Vaccinations are free of charge to individuals covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina or Medicare Part B. For individuals not covered by these insurances, there will be a charge of $30 (cash or check only).

Seasonal Flu Shots-Student Health Center

The Student Health Center has given all of it's seasonal flu vaccine. It is unlikely we will get more. You are welcome to check back.

Please call 910-962-3280 for more information

H1N1 Vaccine Information

FREE H1N1 Vaccination Clinic – Friday, November 20th from 2 pm to 6 pm in Burney. Faculty, staff and students are welcome

Please remember there is no cost for the vaccine and that you will need to bring your UNCW ID card to the clinic.

Both the nasal spray and injectable forms of the vaccine will be available.

Information regarding the H1N1 flu clinic is available at www.uncw.edu/flu & www.cdc.gov/h1n1

For more information about the clinic please call the Student Health Center at 910-962-3280

Sponsored by the Abrons Student Health Center, Environmental Health & Safety, and the School of Nursing

H1N1 Update

If you have questions about H1N1 visit these websites for up-to-date information:

H1N1 Flu Information from UNCW

Centers for Disease Control Website

Health insurance to be required for UNCW students ~ Fall 2010

Beginning in Fall 2010, 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 Dec, 2009. Please check back for details.

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 morning if possible, to make test collection as quick and easy as possible.

Plan B® available at UNCW Pharmacy without a prescription

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 Center Pharmacy. Regulations require students to present both a UNCW ONECard and a driver’s license. If under age18 years old or without ID, students can still check into the Student Health Center and see a provider to obtain a prescription for Plan B®.