Incoming college students need to be prepared to take care of their own medical needs before they come to school. That’s according to Cheri Huckstep Reed, a family nurse practitioner at Southeast Missouri State University’s campus health clinic.
Students should bring multiple copies of their insurance cards, and a complete list of allergies and medications. They also need need to have an updated list of all their immunizations.
“They need to have documentation of if they had their chicken pox vaccine, if they’ve had HPV vaccine, any of that stuff,” she said, “because if they come to the campus health clinic or if they would go see a physician somewhere, they might be asked that question of their immunizations. Are they up to date?”
Huckstep Reed said some students should get a doctor in their college town.
“If the student has special needs, say they’ve got ADHD or they’re a type 1 diabetic, they would be better off being hooked up with a local physician,” she said. “They can still have their one at home, but that’s really important is that you have a primary care provider.”
She also suggests students get a first aid kit.
Huckstep Reed said sick college students shouldn’t try to treat ailments themselves or put off getting medical attention, and should visit their campus health clinic as soon possible.
