Health Iowa Q&A

Are there any alcohol meeting or classes that help with drinking problems?

There are lots of available resources to consult if you need assistance in managing drinking problems. At Health Iowa, free substance abuse counseling is available for students who self-refer. During a session you will discuss the problem behavior, its history, your family and social life, legal involvement and other topics in order to find the best education program for you.

Health Iowa also offers alcohol education programs for students. The Alcohol Education Workshop (AEW) focuses on educating students who have had alcohol violations on campus about alcohol and its consequences. Students take alcohol quizzes and watch a video about college drinking, and also discuss other alcohol related topics with their peers. Seminar on Substances (SOS) is another program we offer. SOS is an intense, 2-session program that takes a more in depth look at alcohol use. Students watch videos, and interact with each other and the moderator in numerous activities in order to reflect and learn about the effects of their alcohol use.

Sources that are also available in the area include MECCA and UIHC Chemical Dependency Services. Both of those offer a full-range of services from evaluations to extended outpatient and intensive inpatient care, as well as offering aftercare services. Trained staff lead individual and group counseling sessions with clients. In addition, OWI evaluations are provided through both programs. Contact information for these services follows:

Mid-Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse (MECCA): MECCA

UIHC Chemical Dependency Services: 384-8765

Health Iowa Consultations: 335-8394

Lindsey Sirowy, BA
Graduate Assistant
Health Iowa/Student Health Service

Written 11/5/2008

I need to renew my birth control. Where can I go to do this? Also, do I have to get an exam?

Most birth control prescriptions are written with four or more refills. Refilling a prescription can be done at the Westlawn Pharmacy, located at Student Health Service. If you have any questions, you can talk to a pharmacist by calling, 335-9200.

If it has been a year since the prescription was last refilled, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your health care provider. An exam may or may not be recommended depending on the following:

• Under 21 and have been sexually active for less than three years, an exam isn’t recommend
• Under 21 and have been sexually active for more than three years, a pap smear and STI (sexually transmitted infection) screening is recommended
• Over 21, but under 26, an annual pap smear and STI screening are recommended
• Over 25, but under 30, an annual pap smear is recommended
• Over 30 with no history of abnormal pap smears nor recent negative HPV test a pap smear every three years is recommended
• Over 30 with three normal pap smears in the last three years, a pap smear is recommended every three years
• Over 40, a mammogram screening is recommended

It is a good idea to schedule a yearly exam with your health care provider and refill the prescription at that time. If you are a University of Iowa student, please call 335-8394 to schedule an appointment.

Stephanie Beecher, BA
Graduate Assistant
Health Iowa/Student Health Service

Written 11/12/08

What are the side effects of penicillin?

Penicillin is used to treat infections that are caused by bacterins by either killing them or preventing their growth. There are several different kinds of penicillin to treat a variety of bacteria. Penicillin is only available thru prescription and is best to be taken with a full glass (8 oz.) of water on an empty stomach.

To help clear up the infection completely, keep taking the medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking the medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

As far as the side effects go, the most common one is mild diarrhea. Another precaution is if you are taking birth control pills containing estrogen; the contraceptive may not work properly if taking them while you are taking ampicillin, amoxicillin, or penicillin V. You should use a different or additional means of birth control while you are taking any of these medicines. Other effects may include:
• Headache
• Sore mouth or tongue
• Vaginal itching & discharge
• White patches in the mouth and/or on the tongue

If you notice any other side effect, check with your healthcare professional. Make an appointment to see a physician at Student Health Service by calling 335.8394.

For further information on penicillin, please visit Penicillin

Amanda Truppe, B.A.
Graduate Assistant
Health Iowa/Student Health Service

12/5/08
 

Is drinking green tea good for your health?

Yes, green tea is excellent for your health. The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times.

The secret of green tea lies in the fact that it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

It also can be helpful in prevention of rheumatoid arthritis, infection, and impaired immune functions. Green tea does contain caffeine, but it contains less caffeine than coffee.

So start consuming the tea because it is easy being green!

For more information about green tea, please visit Green Tea

Amanda Truppe, B.S.
Graduate Student
Health Iowa/Student Health Service

Written: 12/10/2008

If I am already sick with a cold is it a good idea to get the flu vaccine now or wait?

It’s OK to receive a flu shot when experiencing an upper respiratory illness as long as your fever is less than 100 degrees. When your temperature is higher than 100 degrees your immune system is already compromised. You may not be able to build up as many antibodies to the flu and therefore not fully benefiting from the vaccine.

If you plan on getting the Flu Mist, the nasal spray influenza vaccine, make sure there is an absence of nasal congestion. This could cause less absorption of the vaccine.

Just remember, it takes two weeks to have full immunity to influenza after receiving the vaccine.

Stephanie Beecher, BA
Graduate Assistant
Health Iowa/Student Health Service

Written 11/21/08