My fellow Texas Aggies are no doubt familiar with the name “Quack Shack”, the less than complimentary old Army nick name for the campus health center at Texas A&M. Sadly, many college campus health centers suffer from similarly undeserved negative images, despite being staffed with excellent, well-trained, caring, compassionate physicians, nurses and other providers. Please look closely at your campus clinic’s website to fully explore what is available at your (or your college student’s) school. At the end of the day, I can only speak with authority about the University Health Services at the University of Texas in Austin, because … Read more
Aggies
Moving in to a DORM? Double Check Your Vaccinations!
Why do COLLEGE STUDENTS need the Meningitis Vaccine?
What is meningococcal disease? The bacteria Neisseria meningitidis causes a range of illnesses that can rapidly progress to be fatal if not immediately recognized and treated. Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain that can cause coma, sepsis and death. Early symptoms start like the flu- fever, headache, body aches, and possibly nausea and vomiting, then the headache progresses in severity, the neck becomes very stiff and painful, and the person may become confused or even unconscious. A very specific RASH can alert clinicians to this dangerous disease- it … Read more
Did I Hear a WHOOP?
As a Texas Aggie, I generally love to hear a “WHOOP” (especially during football season- gig ’em, Ags!) However, as a doctor, the word or sound “whoop” triggers concerns about Pertussis, the bacteria that causes whooping cough, which has been unfortunately on the rise in our community and across the United States.
What is whooping cough?
This highly infectious respiratory disease only infects humans, and causes nearly 50 million cases of disease each year. In the United States, we only see around 40,000 documented cases/year, but certainly have many more infections that are not recognized and treated. Smokers, asthmatics, infants, … Read more