If You Get Sick

It is difficult to be sick when away from home, and making a decision about what to do may be made more problematic when you do not feel well! However, there are several options to help you in making your decision as to how to proceed.

Student Health Services is open from Monday-Thursday 8:30am to 7pm, Fridays 8:30am-5pm. We will accommodate any sick/urgent visits on a walk-in basis. It helps us if you call in advance and we can arrange to have you seen ASAP. You may call us in the night when we are closed to let us know you will be coming in in the morning.

Student Health Services has an on-call nurse or nurse practitioner available from Friday evenings at 5pm until 8am on Sundays. The nurses can be reached through Campus Safety at any time at x2222. The on-call nursing professional can help you determine if self-care is sufficient, or if you need to go to the emergency room or to a local walk-in clinic.

When to use the Emergency Room
Use of the Emergency Room at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital (open 24 hours), or the Pequot Medical Center (open from 7 am to 11 pm) should be considered carefully. Since they are both considered emergency treatment, many insurances will charge a co-pay for the visit. The Connecticut College Student Health Insurance, for example, charges a $50 co-pay for use of the emergency room (unless you are admitted as an inpatient).

You will always have to use your own judgment in making a decision to seek care at the emergency room. However, there are some general guidelines which may help you make this decision.

Reasons to go to the Emergency Room

Loss of consciousness/change in consciousness/seizure
Severe shortness of breath
Sudden, severe pain (abdominal, chest, head) which is not relieved with over the counter medication.
A major injury
Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure, or a deep cut which may need stitches in order to stop the bleeding.
Poisoning or overdose
Severe or worsening reaction to an insect bite or sting, or to a medication, especially if breathing is difficult
Severe or persistent vomiting
Suicidal or homicidal feelings
Severe vaginal bleeding which may indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy

Conditions which could probably wait until Health Services is open may include:

Fever which goes down with Tylenol or aspirin
Sore throat, colds, cough, earache
Minor cuts or burns
Skin rash
Mild nausea with vomiting or diarrhea without fever
Mild burning or irritation on urination
Chronic joint or muscle pain/strain

If you need transportation, call Campus Safety at x2222 and they can arrange for a cab for you. If an ambulance is needed, they will call one for you.

Again, you must use your best judgment on how to care for yourself when we are not open. You may enlist the advice of a housefellow, area coordinator, friend, family member as well as the Hotline. We will be there Monday-Friday, starting at 8:30.

Last Modified: Monday, May 12, 2008 16:28