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The Flu Season has arrived!!

The Gonzaga Student Health Center is here to help. If you are experiencing a fever, cough, headache, body aches and/or fatigue, you may have the flu.  You may contact the Health Center at (509)313-4066 to schedule an appointment with a medical provider.

The Spokane Regional Health District reports that more people are getting the flu this year.  In Spokane County there have been approximately 31 hospitalizations so far compared to 4 at this time last year. 

1200 doses of flu vaccine was given by the GU Student Health Center during fall semester until the supply was gone.  To get a flu shot, you may go to Safeway or Walgreens where they still have flu vaccine available.  Getting the flu vaccine is highly recommended.

What can you do to protect yourself and others from influenza?

As with any contagious disease that spreads through the respiratory system, the Health Center recommends the following precautions:

• Get a flu shot each year to prevent the flu.
• Wash your hands for at least 20-30 seconds with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose. Quickly throw away used tissues, then wash your hands.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve/elbow - not into your hands.
• Regularly clean surfaces in your home that are touched often, like light switches, doorknobs, faucets, and appliance handles.
• Don't share food, utensils, beverages, towels, lipstick, toys, cigarettes, or anything else that might become contaminated with germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can spread by touching them.
• Avoid close contact with sick people. Most germs are spread when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

If you have a cough, fever or the flu, stay home until symptoms are gone and until you have been free of fever (less than 100ºF, without the use of a fever-reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Information

A pertussis epidemic was declared in Washington on April 3, 2012. There have been 3,484 cases reported statewide through August 11, 2012, compared to 312 reported cases in 2011 during the same time period. There were 965 cases reported statewide in 2011 compared to 608 reported cases in 2010. Pertussis (Whooping cough) spreads easily by coughing and sneezing. It is a very serious illness for babies and children. Vaccination is the best protection against whooping cough. Whooping cough vaccines are recommended for all kids and adults. Kids under seven should get a series of five DTaP vaccines. Kids aged 7 to 10 years who aren't fully vaccinated against whooping cough and everyone aged 11 and older should get a whooping cough booster, called Tdap.

Tdap vaccines are currently available at the Gonzaga University Student Health Center.

For more information about Pertussis from the Spokane Regional Health District go to http://www.srhd.org/feature.asp?id=29

For more information about the current  pertussis situation in Washington State go to http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WhoopingCough.aspx

About the Health Center

The Health Center functions as your private physician's office with a strong emphasis on wellness.  We want you to fully benefit from this Jesuit education. In the event of an accident or illness, our Board Certified Family Physician, Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurses are here to give you our expertise and care. 

The every day decisions you make will determine your ability to stay healthy and enjoy your experiences here.  The daily choices you make in regard to nutrition, exercise and rest will play a major role in your success.  In a new environment your immunity will be challenged.  Besides those choices mentioned, there are several more that will aid your natural resistance to diseases.  They include current immunizations to measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Gardasil (HPV vaccine) and the yearly flu vaccine.  These are vital tools to insure your wellness.  Besides needing two measles (MMR) injections, the other very important vaccine is Menectra.  Bacterial meningitis is slightly increased when you attend college as a first year student and live on campus.  Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spine, which causes serious and even life threatening illness.  There is a vaccine that can help to prevent four of the known five kinds.  We recommend you consult with your own physician and receive this vaccine or come and receive it when you arrive. We prefer that you receive it before you arrive. 

Our staff are well versed on ways to assist you in making wellness lifestyle choices as you engage on this trek to independence and knowledge. Life is about change and this is a major change in your life. We are ready to assist you in this transition to an independent healthy person by either medical care or by wellness consultations.

When you are on campus visiting, please drop by the Health Center, we would love to meet you. 

The Health Center Staff

For information about the student insurance please go to www.gonzaga.edu/studentinsurance.

Effective June 1, 2011 the fee for a standard office visit with the Physician or Family Nurse Practitioner increased to $25. Students may consult with a Registered Nurse (RN) at no charge.

Also effective June 1, 2011 we will now be charging a $30 fee for all "No-Shows"- that is, you had an appointment at the Health Center with the Physician or Family Nurse Practitioner that you did not show up for, and failed to call to cancel. We will charge for that missed appointment by billing student accounts.

**Students must present their Gonzaga University Student Identification card prior to each visit at the Health Center.