Colby College Health Services

Health Center Update: Pap and STI Testing Deadlines

•PAP testing for all students – May 7th

•Gonorrhea/Chlamydia testing for senior students – May 14th
•Gonorrhea/Chlamydia testing for underclass students – May 7th

Are YOU going abroad? Did you know that most abroad programs require a physical examination and health assessment prior to your departure? The professionals at Garrison Foster Health Center have you covered! They offer pre-travel office visits to get your prepared for your time abroad. Please call today to schedule your study abroad appointment!

Happy National Athletic Training Month! Come visit the staff, learn about the profession of athletic training and pick up a snack! Shannon Steelman, ATC and the staff will be in Pulver from 11-1 today, Friday March 9, Tuesday March 13, Monday March 19 and Friday March 23.

March is National Athletic Training Month! Our athletic training staff here at Colby is devoted to provide the best medical care to our general student population, club rugby teams as well as our varsity athletic teams! Please join us in recognizing them for there devotion to the medical profession!

Feeling sick? Here is some information from the CDC to help you determine if you may have the flu or a cold.

Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. It can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone and may require special diagnostic tests. Learn some of the differences between cold and flu: http://bit.ly/2yNjaCM

Going anywhere for Jan Plan break?

The Health Center will be open normal hours for the entire break should you need us for anything.

PSA: wash your hands often, cover your cough, and stay well! :)

Influenza has arrived in Maine, you can still get your flu shot at the Garrison-Foster Health Center.

Influenza cases have been reported throughout Maine and may arrive on the Colby campus soon. The vaccine issued this year is offering good coverage against this year’s strains of the flu. It is not too late to get vaccinated and the Garrison-Foster Health Center has flu vaccine still available!

Flu symptoms may include fever of more than 100.0° F for 2-5 days, headache, muscle aches, weakness, a non-productive cough, sore throat, and runny nose.

If you have an underlying medical condition such as asthma, other respiratory illness, heart disease, or diabetes -- or are immunosuppressed --, contact the Health Center soon after developing flu-like symptoms. You may need treatment.
Most healthy individuals will be able to fight off influenza without intervention. Rest, proper hydration, and Tylenol or Ibuprofen use can be effective tools to help manage the flu.

If you experience severe flu-like symptoms for more than three days, contact the Health Center by phone (207-859-4460) to schedule an appointment as needed. If you need emergency medical care after hours, contact Colby Emergency Response (CER) and Security by phone (207-859-5911).

Prevention:
-Wash your hands: wash frequently, especially after you cough or sneeze
-Cover your cough: use tissues, or cough into your sleeve
-Stay at home when you are sick: symptomatic individuals should remain in their room and stay out of class until 24 hours after a fever resolves without the use of medications
-Get vaccinated: we still have vaccine available to all students and staff at the Garrison-Foster Health Center. Local pharmacies and primary care providers also have vaccine available. This offers protection in 14 days.

Avoid eating in the dining halls, spending time in public spaces, or participating in sports activities until you have been fever-free for 24 hours. Send a friend to pick up a “flu meal” from Dining Services at Dana (x5487) or Roberts (x5483) during regular serving hours. Call ahead to request the meal. Your friend will need to bring your Colby ID to pick up the meal.

Garrison-Foster Health Center hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat-Sun Noon-8 p.m.
To make an appointment for a flu shot you can schedule online or call 207-859-4460.

Wellness Lecture opportunity tomorrow evening -
Wednesday, January 10, 7:30-8:30pm, Ostrove Auditorium;

“AIDS, Love & Staying Alive” with Scott Fried

Internationally celebrated HIV/AIDS educator, motivational speaker and annual guest lecturer at Colby College, Scott Fried, will change the way you think about your life. Come hear his story as he celebrates his 30th year of living with HIV and be inspired by some of the many lessons he has learned along the way. Some topics include living a life of contradiction, the power of authenticity and vulnerability, the value of unhappiness, the wisdom of gratitude and the qualities of mercy. In addition, you’ll learn about safer s*x and consent on campus, as well as new HIV/AIDS information like TasP, PEP and PrEP. In the words of one Colby student, “I cannot even begin to tell you how you moved and touched my soul.” You’ll thank yourself for coming.

The Health Center is now closed for the semester break. Please have a safe and restful break. If you are in the area and need medical care while we are closed here is a list of local resources:

Local Hospitals and Pharmacies Hospitals and Clinics There are two hospitals and a walk-in clinic in the city of Waterville. Practitioners at the Garrison-Foster Health Center may refer you to either of the hospitals for further care or diagnostic tests. Colby Emergency Response often sends patients to the emergency rooms at thes...

Lots happening down at the STRESSBUSTERS Event! Check it out. They will be there until 2!

Join the students of SHOC (along with a little help from the Health Center) for a fun and eventful STRESSBUSTERS! Tomorrow December 6th from 11-2

Join us for Stressbusters on Wednesday from 11am-2pm! It’s going to be an awesome, stress-relieving event!! Hope to see you there! :D

Don’t Be a Duck: Everyone Has Something

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 7:30-8:30pm Michelle Boucher '17 will be hosting a Wellness Seminar in Page Commons

Michelle Boucher is a 2017 graduate of Colby whose college experiences taught her important lessons about vulnerability and empathy. A first generation college student from Maine who "had it all together" before Colby, she talks of her personal and mental health struggles and challenges throughout college and uses them to leverage an understanding that everybody struggles from time to time. Through stories, humor, and excerpts of some of the speeches she gave at Colby, she encourages a culture of empathy and urges her audience to remember that we should always treat others with kindness.