The people at the University Health Service wish you a healthy and happy year at NIU. Our staff provides you with the following health tips to reduce your likelihood of becoming ill:

Colds are spread hand-to-hand and hand-to-face. Wash hands frequently, especially during flu season.

Get adequate rest. Pushing your limits at times may be unavoidable, but extended stress can make you sick and hinder your academic performance.

If you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, THINK WHEN YOU DRINK. Most people think that others are drinking more than they really are. Learn how many drinks you can have before reaching a blood alcohol level of .05 when impairment starts. Most NIU students drink less than six drinks during a drinking occasion.

Sex in the 90s will be risky business. Condyloma, chlamydia and herpes do exist on this campus. AIDS, while not a present threat, can be expected to increase in the future. Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective way to prevent diseases and unintended pregnancies. If you choose to have sex, you can lower your risk if you use condoms, have a totally faithful monogamous relationship or engage only in non-intercourse sexual activity.

Check your immunization for measles. Measles in adults is very severe and can even cause death! Some experts are recommending booster doses for measles. Call the health center with specific questions.

Play hard, but play safe. When engaging in sports or other physical activities, use the proper equipment and apparel to reduce the likelihood of injury. Play within your abilities and be in good physical condition when you participate.

When driving, always buckle up and avoid alcohol. Use a designated driver if necessary.

Here is more information about the NIU Health Service:

The health center provides high quality personal health care to students. We also promote positive health values in the NIU community. We try to hold the highest ethical standards. We review our services frequently and try to meet the needs of our student population. We encourage student input in decision making.

Health center hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., either by appointment or walk-in. A physician is present until 5:30 p.m. for urgent cases. After 5:30 p.m., a nurse will assess the problem and make recommendations for care. A doctor is available by phone during this time. The health center is closed between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., a change from last year’s hours.

In addition to walk-in or appointment medical care, the health center offers these services: injury care, gynecology, psychiatry, allergy shots, communicable disease counseling and treatment, nutrition counseling, a pharmacy, a laboratory, X-ray services, health education and services for handicapped students.

At the health center, you may see many types of health professionals. In addition to physicians, nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants see most patients with medical problems. Nurses are available to operate clinics, give injections, trace communicable diseases and perform assessments in the evening. We also have staff who perform lab tests, take x-rays and keep health records, along with three pharmacists.

Health records are filed by number, not name. We keep all rules of confidentiality. We release no records without signed permission. Student workers at the health center sign an oath of confidentiality.

Our health service is accredited, meaning it has been checked by experts who put their seal of approval on it. We have eight regular staff physicians. Seven have had specialty training and six are board-certified in a special field.

All new entering NIU students born after Jan. 1, 1957, and taking an NIU course for credit after July 1 must show proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, diptheria and tetanus, in accordance with state law. Students who do not verify their immunizations will not be allowed to register for the spring 1990 semester at NIU. All immunization records must be at the health center by Oct. 2 to avoid an encumbrance on students’ academic records.

Staff of the NIU Health Service

Rosemary B. Lane, M.D., Director