Allergy Shots
Attention Deficit Disorder Diagnosis
Contraceptive Services
Dental Care
Eating Disorder Assessment and Treatment
Emergency Contraception
Health Care for Children
Immunizations
Occupational Health
Physical Exams
Pregnancy Testing
Psychiatric Testing
Same-day Care
Sexually Transmitted Infections Testing & Treatment
Tobacco Cessation
Travel Immunizations
Tuberculosis Testing
Tuberculosis Screening Requirement
If you need allergy injections to maintain a desensitization schedule prescribed by your allergist, the Sindecuse Health Center staff can assist you by administering your antigen. We will, however, need your help. We need clearly written instructions and an up-to-date injection schedule (last injection recorded with strength and amount) from your allergist, as well as the bottle of antigen you are presently using.
If you are a first-time allergy patient who has never received
an allergy injection, we ask that you please return to
your allergist to begin your desensitization schedule.
We will NOT administer your first injection. Sorry.
Allergy patients who are receiving their injections at Sindecuse Health Center for the first time are requested to call ahead for a 30-minute consultation with a Registered Nurse. At this appointment, a review of your physician's orders, your medication history, and the allergist's schedule will be completed. In addition, your nurse will give you an overview of Sindecuse's allergy injection policy.
Register at nursing station. Shots are provided on a walk-in basis, no appointment necessary during walk-in hours.
At each step you will be told if you meet the diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It will be your choice whether or not to continue to the next step.
Your insurance may or may not cover the cost of the visits. You will need to call your insurance company to discuss with them.
The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder is made after careful consideration. This diagnosis follows an individual’s personal health history throughout his or her lifetime.
The Health Center provides a wide range of contraceptive options and confidential services. Make an appointment with a clinician for contraceptive methods requiring a prescription. You and your clinician will decide whether a physical examination is recommended for you. Available prescription options include, but are not limited to:
Over-the-counter, non-prescription contraceptives--condoms, for example--are available in the Health Center Pharmacy at reduced cost for students. A variety of condoms are available and are recommended for use with all other methods of contraception to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Although we don't have dentists on site, we can suggest private dentists in the commuity who accept new patients. If you have a dental emergency, one of our physicians will make a direct referral.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College Dental Hygiene
Program
The KVCC Dental Hygiene Clinic is a full-service clinic providing professional and quality dental hygiene services to the community since 1970. The goal is to help you improve and maintain your oral health. To accomplish this, they thoroughly review your medical and dental histories, and perform an oral exam. When this is completed, a dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment plan will be customized for your needs by a student clinician under the supervision of a licensed dental professional.
Nominal fees are charged for these services. Call today to make an appointment with a student dental hygienist on the Texas Township Campus, Room 8330.
The Dental Hygiene Clinic
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
6767 West O Avenue, P.O. Box 4070
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003-4070
For more information or an appointment, call (269) 372-5338.
Emergency contraception (also known as the “morning after pill”) is available for purchase at the Sindecuse pharmacy for those 18 years and older. Proof of age is required.
For best results, emergency contraception should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. It can be used at any time during the menstrual cycle.
Emergency Contraception is not recommended for use if you have a known or suspected pregnancy, are allergic to any components, or have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Emergency contraceptives are not recommended for routine use as a contraceptive method. There are several options for highly effective routine contraception. Make an appointment to discuss them with your clinician.
When your relationship with food and obsession with thinness interferes with your life, you may be suffering from an eating disorder. Eating disorders involve destructive patterns of restrictive dieting, purging, exercising, and binging that lead to serious physical and psychological consequences. Recovery is most possible when an eating disorder is identified early, treated by trained professionals, and when treatment is supported by close friends and family.
Help yourself or someone you are concerned about. The following are available through self-referral:
Reaching Out To Someone With An Eating Disorder
Children pose a special concern for parents working to complete their graduation requirements. The following services can help enrolled students with children ensure access to appropriate health care for their children.
Children aged 12 and over of enrolled students can be seen at the Health Center and have access to our many professional services. Health care for children requires a membership fee charged on the first professional visit to the Health Center each semester or session. Health care coverage runs from the first day of classes of one semester or session to the first day of classes the following semester or session.
Children under the age of 12 can be seen at private family practice pediatric offices throughout Kalamazoo. Pediatrics and Family Practice at Westrn Michigan University School of Medicine accepts new patients with Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or other commercial carriers as well as some HMOs.
Pediatric Clinic
(269)
337-6400
Family Practice Clinic
(269) 337-6500
Immunization are given on a walk-in basis, no appointment necessary.
Monday
8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 5:30 p.m. (During regular academic year)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday
9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Immunizations protect personal health and the health of our University community. We strongly encourage verification of immunization status for all students entering Western Michigan University. The following adult immunizations are recommended:
Meningococcal
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mening.pdf
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mmr.pdf
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-tdap.pdf
Pneumococcal vaccine
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-ppv.pdf
Hepatitis B
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-hep-b.pdf
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-hpv.pdf
Varicella (chicken Pox)
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-varicella.pdf
Influenza (Flu)
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-flu.pdf
Each fall semester, Sindecuse Health Center offers flu vaccine for your protection. Each year's vaccine contains protection for the virus types most likely to cause respiratory influenza during the coming winter.
Anyone wishing to reduce the likelihood of contracting influenza should receive flu vaccine. Those at increased risk for flu-related complications are especially encouraged to be immunized. These include persons with asthma or other lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, any chronic medical condition or HIV infection. In addition, anyone over 65 years of age is encouraged to be vaccinated.
Vaccination can prevent severe complications from influenza, including bacterial pneumonia, and helps prevent the spreadof influenza to high risk individuals. Vaccination must be received in time to create immunity through the winter months. Resistance to infection takes two weeks to develop and lasts throughout flu season.
For more information about when flu vaccine will be available, Call (269) 387-3290.
Protect your health during international travel. Click here to learn more.
Gender specific physical exams for disease prevention are
available by appointment. The annual female exam may include breast exam, pap smear, STI testing and other screening tests based on age specific recommendations and health risks. The male preventive physical exam may include testicular exam, STI testing and other screening studies recommended by age category and health risks. Call (269) 387-3290 to schedule an appointment.
Confidential pregnancy testing is offered at Sindecuse Health Center by nursing appointment. An appointment is made with a nurse who is experienced in helping students confronted with a planned or unplanned pregnancy. Call (269) 387-3290 to schedule your appointment.
Counseling occurs in a non-judgmental and caring way and is designed to help a student explore personal values, beliefs and options. All options available are discussed and appropriate referrals are made.
Pregnancy can occur when a man and woman choose sexual intercourse without effective contraceptive protection. Because the time of ovulation or production of an egg in the woman usually varies from month to month and because a man’s sperm can live for several days inside a woman’s body, pregnancy can occur more easily than is often thought. Without effective contraceptive protection, 60% of sexually active women will become pregnant within six months and 90% will become pregnant within a year. In fact, it is not unusual for pregnancy to occur even if the man and woman have experienced sexual intercourse only once; and contrary to popular belief, pregnancy may also result if intercourse occurs during the woman’s menstrual period.
The Hormone Pregnancy testing involves a simple laboratory procedure to detect the presence of a hormone called Human Chronic Gonadotropin (HCG) which is produced by the developing placenta in a pregnant woman. HCG production begins within the first week following implantation of a fertilized egg and gradually reaches its highest concentration during the third month of pregnancy. As HCG production increases, this hormone enters the blood stream and filters through the kidneys into the urine. The most common test used for confirming pregnancy is one developed to detect HCG levels in the urine.
In the first several weeks of pregnancy the level of hormone production is too small to result in a positive pregnancy test. To be accurate, a pregnancy test should not be performed until HCG levels have risen to at least 50 mlU/ml. This level is generally achieved about the time a pregnant woman misses her first menstrual period. Accuracy of the test increases with each passing week.
If the first pregnancy test performed after a missed menstrual period is negative, a second test is recommended one to two weeks later. Any urine specimen is appropriate for HCG testing, but the first morning urine is optimal because HCG is more concentrated and is therefore more measurable. A diluted urine specimen obtained during the day may not contain sufficient HCG to be detected by this test.
Pregnancy tests can give false negative results when: 1. The test has been performed before HCG levels are high enough to be detected. 2. The urine is too diluted to contain sufficient HCG.
The most commonly noticed symptom of pregnancy is missing a menstrual period. Missing a period, however, can also occur for other reasons, such as feeling increased stress or tension, or from trying to diet severely to lose weight. A period may also be delayed or missed if a woman fears becoming pregnant, if she wants to become pregnant, or if she becomes physically ill. Another early symptom of pregnancy is morning sickness, nausea and vomiting. Morning sickness usually appears a week or two after a menstrual period is missed and continues until about the 10th or the 12th week of pregnancy. Morning sickness occurs in about half the women who are pregnant, but may also occur in a woman who is not pregnant.
To confuse things more, it is also possible for a woman to have a fairly normal appearing menstrual period when in the early stages of pregnancy. Enlargement and tenderness of the breasts can be another early sign of pregnancy. This is similar to the monthly breast tenderness many women experience just before their menstrual period, but this tenderness may be more intense than usual. In addition, there may be a more frequent urge to urinate.
There may be changes in appetite or in the kinds of foods that seem appealing. There may also be a change in mood, a feeling of fatigue, or simply somehow feeling different. A woman may, however, experience none of these physical symptoms and still be pregnant. Remember, too, that these changes can also occur as a result of other physical or emotional problems. A woman should not rely solely on physical signs to determine whether or not she is pregnant. A pregnancy test is a more reliable method of determining pregnancy in its early stages so that medical attention may be sought as soon as possible.
A board certified psychiatrist is available by referral
only to treat a wide variety of disease processes common
to college students such as adjustment disorders, mood disorders
including depression, bipolar mood problems, anxiety disorders
including generalized anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder,
obsessive compulsive disorders, attention deficit disorders,
eating disorders and thought disorders including schizophrenia.
Call (269) 387-3290 to schedule an appointment with a clinician
to assess your need for psychiatric services.
The Health Center's same-day care is designed for
acute minor illness or injury that cannot wait for an appointment.
If you come to the Health Center without an appointment,
you will be referred to the Triage Nurse who will help you
determine whether same-day Care or a regular appointment
will be best for you.
Please note: A Same Day care appointment does not guarantee immediate care. It may be necessary for you to wait for the first available clinician.
A decision to seek medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital emergency room or an immediate care center should be made carefully, as it may be an expensive and possibly unnecessary choice. Your Student Health Fee does not cover ambulance service or medical care provided outside the Health Center. Most health insurance is unlikely to cover outpatient hospital visits unless the condition is a true emergency.
Bronson Trauma and Emergency Center (269) 341-6386
Borgess Trauma and Emergency Center (269) 226-4815
In addition, there are several immediate care centers
that are open until 10 p.m. for minor health problems.
They are listed in the Yellow Pages of your phone book.
WMU Employee After Hours On-The-Job Injuries
If you are injured on the job when the Health Center is
closed, notify your supervisor immediately. You will be
taken to Bronson Trauma and Emergency Center or to one
of the industrial clinics in Kalamazoo. Follow-up should
be at Sindecuse Health Center.
The Health Center offers non-judgmental evaluation and treatment for all sexually transmitted infections. An appointment is made with your clinician of choice and the appropriate health history is taken, a physical examination is performed, and laboratory tests are ordered that will determine the specific problem.
Treatment is then offered according to specific protocols. Education and information for current management and future prevention are given according to your needs.
All students who are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection are highly encouraged to have an HIV antibody test.
Call (269) 387-3290 to schedule an appointment.
TB testing is done at the Health Center on a walk-in basis – no appointment necessary. We are available to administer your TB test or to read your results during the following times:
Monday
8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
After the test, you will need to have your TB test results read 2 to 3 days later during the times listed above.
A nurse will inject a small amount of fluid called purified protein derivative (PPD) under the top layer of skin on your lower arm. The PPD consists of inactivated tuberculosis bacteria. The TB skin test is just a test; it does not give you TB, nor is it a vaccine to prevent TB.
Beginning fall of 2005, Western Michigan University has required all International Students arriving within the past 5 years from countries where TB is endemic to be screened for TB.
The purpose of screening for TB is to identify individuals with TB disease (active TB) or latent TB infection manifested by a positive tuberculin skin test. Both TB disease and latent infection should be treated.
The TB skin test will not make you sick. It may cause swelling, itching or tenderness at the injection site, which usually disappears within a week. You can continue normal activities including washing your arm after the test.
Most people have inactive, latent TB, which cannot be transmitted and does not cause symptoms. Treatment with antibiotics is recommended in order to prevent active TB. You can attend school normally.
Active TB can be transmitted and is very serious, possibly causing permanent damage and even death. It is curable with appropriate medicine, and treatment with antibiotics is required. You will not be allowed to attend school until you have a release from your medical provider.
Having TB will not affect your student status. Students who have TB infection are not discriminated against in any way. Western Michigan University must report cases of active TB (not latent TB) to the Kalamazoo County Health Departments for investigation of possible transmission to others. Otherwise, health records at WMU are confidential and cannot be released without patient consent.
Many International students received BCG vaccine, which reduced their TB risk as children. However, BCG vaccine effectiveness declines with time. A TB skin test is still indicated for those who have previously received BCG.
Sindecuse Health Center
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5445
Attention: Director of Nursing
Call (269) 387-3295
