The Health Center does not provide medical excuses for missing classes. The student is expected to communicate with their professors if they are not feeling well enough to attend class. In cases of COVID or Influenza, we may ask the student to sign a notification consent to notify Academic Success, who may inform the student’s professors. We also may inform Academic success in instances where the student is expected to be out of class for an extended period of time, such as concussions.

The Health Center has several over-the-counter medications available for students, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, bismuth subsalicylate, cetirizine, diphenhydramine, triple antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, nighttime cold medicine, Throat Coat tea and Band-Aids. 

There are several over-the-counter medications for the common cold or allergies, but many of the combination products do not have the medications that you need for your symptoms. It is better to take individual medications based on your symptoms instead of an all-in-one.

• Decongestants help with nasal congestion, sinus pressure and ear pressure. You must ask the pharmacist for pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) because it is used to make “meth” and the pharmacy controls how much you can get at a time. The “decongestant” phenylephrine that is widely available off the shelf is not effective. Oxymetazoline is also very effective but never take it for more than 3 days.
• Antihistamines help with runny nose, itching and allergies (diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine)
• Expectorants help thin down mucus to make it easier to clear from sinus or lungs (guaifenesin)
• Cough suppressants help to suppress the cough reflex (dextromethorphan)
• Analgesics help with pain and fever (acetaminophen and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen)

The Health Center can see you for sick visits, well woman exams, study abroad physical exams, labs, medication consults and counseling referrals. 

It is better to call to make an appointment. This is because we don’t want sick students sitting in the waiting room with well students. You can call 512-863-1252 to schedule an appointment. 

The Health Center will evaluate you to determine if you need a prescription medication. Prescriptions will be sent to the student’s pharmacy of choice. There is no pharmacy on campus. The Health Center does not prescribe “Schedule 2” medications such as narcotics and stimulants, due to the high risk of abuse.

See After-Hours and Weekend Resources.

Follow the Respiratory Virus Guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are many reasons for your periods to be irregular sometimes, and most are not something to be worried about. Some of those reasons include stress, illness, medication changes, or moving to a new place. If you are sexually active and have missed a period, the Health Center can perform a pregnancy test. If you are having bleeding after sex, the Health Center can perform STI testing. If you have a long history if irregular periods, it could be due to a different medical condition.

Norgestrel is a progesterone-only daily oral contraceptive pill that is safe and effective for preventing pregnancy and available without a prescription. However, this medication is associated with irregular periods. The “real world” failure rate with progesterone-only oral contraceptives is about 8% (8 women out of 100 get pregnant every year). Use condoms to help reduce your risk of pregnancy. 

If you have missed a period (it is more than 4 weeks since the beginning of your last period) you can get a urine pregnancy test at the Health Center. This is the same test you can buy over-the-counter at any pharmacy.