College health pop quiz: Where's the clinic?

Dear Incoming College Freshmen,

As you begin the next step in life, you are probably both excited and nervous, thinking about your classes, dorm setup, meal plans and making new friends. But there are some health-related issues you should be thinking about, too.

As family medicine physicians who have treated hundreds of college students, we have some tips we'd like to share — essentially the things we wish every freshman would know before arriving on campus.

1. Immunization records. You cannot start the school year until the university has vetted your immunization history. But do you know what that record says? Your parents may have kept track of your shots in the past. Now, it's time for you to know, too. Keep a copy of your record handy — in your wallet or on your phone.

2. Medications. Be aware of the names and dosages of ALL the medications you take, both prescription drugs and over-the-counter ones.

3. Personal medical history. Know your medical history, such as the surgeries that you have had, whether you've had any concussions or broken bones and whether you have asthma or have ever been hospitalized.

4. Allergies. Know what you are allergic to, and what happens when you are exposed to these allergens. This applies to medications primarily but also to insect-bite and food allergies.

5. Family history. It is important to know what medical issues run in your family, because this may help identify some diseases or explain strange symptoms. For starters, familiarize yourself with the health status of first-degree relatives: mom, dad, sister, brother. You will get extra credit for knowing the health status of your grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

6. Body temperature. Knowing how to take your temperature seems easy, but it's a skill many college students lack. Doctors consider a fever anything above 100.4 degrees. Use a digital thermometer placed under your tongue for about 40 seconds. And don't drink or eat anything for at least five minutes before taking your temperature.

7. STDs. Remember that talk back in middle school or high school about how sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs) are spread? Review, internalize and act on that information. Here's a website that you may want to check out: www.cdc.gov/std/healthcomm/fact_sheets.htm. Take a careful look at it. Enough said.

8. Wash your hands. Living in a dorm, with many people using the same showers, toilets, sinks, doorknobs and glasses, will increase your chances of catching some nasty diseases. Soap and water work well. So too do alcohol-based sanitizing gels.

9. Do not share personal products. This includes toothbrushes, hair brushes, razors, towels, etc. Infections can spread this way.

10. Know your health services. Find out what health services you have access to as a college student. Know your insurance status; where the student health clinic is located and its hours of operation; where the nearest hospital emergency room is; where mental health services can be found. Also find out if there's a 24-hour telephone service you can access for health issues and write the number down someplace easy to access. Also, find out how to access the sexual assault services on campus.