Search Results for: flu

Influenza

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.

Symptoms can include: fever; cough; sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; body aches; headache; chills; fatigue; vomiting; diarrhea.

Prevention

The best way to protect against the flu is to receive the flu vaccine each year.

Other preventive actions include:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause flu

Student Vaccination Opportunities

Student Flu Vaccine Clinics: October 5, October 12

Vaccination Site:

What to bring to your flu vaccine appointment:

  • TAMU Student ID
  • *Health Insurance information

*While health insurance is not required to receive a flu vaccine, students are encouraged to provide University Health Services with a copy of their health insurance information. To expedite your appointment, please upload your insurance information to the Patient Portal in advance.

For students that do not have health insurance, or for charges that are not covered by insurance, University Health Services will cover the cost of the flu vaccine using our seasonal flu campaign funds (i.e., no cost to you).

Faculty & Staff Vaccination Opportunities

Texas A&M Health and the Texas A&M Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness have partnered with H-E-B to provide influenza (flu) vaccines to Texas A&M University System employees, their eligible dependents, and retirees who are covered under the Texas A&M Care plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas at no cost.

Clinic information and appointment scheduling links can be found here.

Treatment

While most people with flu only have mild illness, it is recommended that those who have flu stay home and avoid contact with others except to get medical care. If you are experiencing emergency warning signs of flu, seek medical care immediately.

Antiviral drugs may be a treatment option. Consult with your primary care provider if you think you may be sick with flu.

Content adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/flu).

Mpox

What is Mpox?

Mpox, formerly known as "monkeypox," is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and mpox is rarely fatal. Mpox is not related to chickenpox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Content adapted from the CDC.

Medical Emergencies and After Hours Care

Call an ambulance/911 or visit your local emergency room if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following: choking; stopped breathing; head injury with passing out, fainting, or confusion; injury to neck or spine (especially if there is loss of feeling or inability to move); severe burn; chest pain or chest pressure; mental health emergency.

To locate a nearby hospitals and/or emergency room, search for these facility types on the internet. If you’re insured, it is recommended that you check with your health insurance for a list of in-network facilities near you.

Common Reasons to Visit

Emergency Room

Visit an Emergency Room or call an ambulance/911 if someone is experiencing the following:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Passing out, fainting
  • Severe pain in the arm or jaw
  • Suddenly not able to speak, see, walk, or move
  • Suddenly weak or drooping on one side of the body
  • Dizziness or weakness that does not go away
  • Inhaled smoke or poisonous fumes
  • Sudden confusion
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Possible broken bone, loss of movement, particularly if the bone is pushing through the skin
  • Deep wound
  • Serious burn
  • Coughing or throwing up blood
  • Severe pain anywhere on the body
  • Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling, hives
  • High fever with headache and stiff neck
  • High fever that does not get better with medicine
  • Throwing up or diarrhea that does not stop
  • Poisoning or overdose of drug or alcohol
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Seizures

Urgent Care Facility

If you are not able to wait to see a clinician at SHS, visit an Urgent Care for help with the following:

  • Common illnesses (examples: colds, the flu, earaches, sore throats, migraines, low-grade fevers, and mild rashes)
  • Minor injuries (examples: sprains, back pain, minor cuts and burns, minor broken bones, or minor eye injuries
  • Minor allergic reaction
  • Bug bite/sting

Differences between an Urgent Care Facility and an Emergency Room

Cost

Typically, treatment will cost significantly less at an urgent care clinic when compared to an emergency room.

Wait Time

The wait time may be less at an urgent care, as they typically see patients on a first come, first served basis. Emergency Rooms will see patients in the order of their severity.

Services

While an urgent care facility and an ER can treat acute illnesses, only ER’s can address life-threatening conditions.

Availability

Urgent care clinics typically are not available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many urgent care clinics have weekend and extended hours, but ER’s are typically only available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

After Hours Medical Care

Follow the below recommendations in non-emergency situations when SHS is closed:

  • For general medical advice: call SHS Dial-A-Nurse to speak with a Registered Nurse regarding your symptoms. Dial-A-Nurse can be reached at (979) 458-8379. Most health insurance companies offer virtual visits for insured individuals. Students insured with the Texas A&M Student Health Insurance plan can utilize AcademicLiveCare. The service key is ALC. To obtain the coupon/access code, please contact Patient Services at patient-services@shs.tamu.edu.
  • If you are ill or injured and feel you need medical care: visit a local urgent care facility.
  • If you feel you are able to wait until SHS is open: schedule an appointment online or call (979) 458-8310 when SHS resumes normal business hours.

Community Healthcare Resources

Find community emergency rooms, hospitals, and urgent care facilities below. There are additional facilities available to you in the Bryan/College Station community. It is the patient's responsibility to determine insurance coverage and benefits.

Emergency Rooms + Hospitals

College Station

Bryan

*Available for mental health emergencies

Mental Health Emergency Care

Urgent Care Facilities

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: On May 11, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 to expire.

Starting May 12, the University Health Services student health center (formerly Student Health Services) will no longer provide services such as vaccinations or laboratory testing for COVID-19 to faculty and staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medical Excuse Policy

Texas A&M University views class attendance as an academic issue and as an individual student responsibility. Students are expected to attend class, complete all assignments, and to be honest with their professors regarding their ability to complete their academic work. SHS encourages students who need to miss a class, lab, quiz or exam due to illness or injury to notify faculty prior to the class that they are unable to attend, and to follow the instructions provided on the course syllabus. Additionally, SHS encourages faculty members to have a conversation with the student that allows them to present their situation and identify how they can fulfill their academic responsibilities while accommodating their short-term illness or injury.

SHS encourages students to practice self-care at home for many common illnesses. This speeds their recovery and reduces the spread of infections such as colds, flu and gastrointestinal illnesses throughout the campus community. When a student’s condition necessitates a visit to our clinic, SHS can provide a confirmation of the medical visit in accordance with Student Rule 7, Attendance. Faculty members may use this document when deciding to excuse an absence for medical reasons. Granting an excused absence falls within the purview of, and at the sole discretion of, the faculty.

Occasionally, students will experience more serious health issues, injuries or hospitalizations. In these circumstances, SHS works with the student to provide a reasonable assessment of how long they will be out of class and when they can resume their usual activities. Additionally, SHS may connect students to other campus resources such as Counseling & Psychological Services, Student Assistance Services and Disability Resources when their unique health issue would benefit from their involvement.

This SHS medical excuse policy is consistent with recommendations from the American College Health Association and the policies of our peer institutions. It also reflects our commitment to maintaining patient confidentiality, teaching students how to use healthcare resources appropriately, and supporting meaningful dialogue between students and faculty.

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