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Have a question about bioterrorism? Troubled by genital warts? Athlete's foot have you stuck on the sidelines? "The Doctor Is In" is here to help.
E-mail your questions to the link on this site and Dr. Michael Deichen, the associate director of the Student Health Center, will post answers in the next column.
The first question students ask concerns the health fee that pops up on the tuition invoice every semester. Regardless of the state of your health, $6 per credit hour is automatically billed to all students, with a minimum of $36 and a maximum of $90.
Most do not realize what this fee goes toward, nor do they know about the multiple services available at the Student Health Center. The fee entitles students to free visits, with minimal charges for X-rays, lab work and prescriptions. The services include a Women’s Clinic, Men’s Clinic and International Travel Clinic for your European summer vacation. Also available are physical therapy and a well-stocked pharmacy.
Can students buy laundry detergent at the pharmacy? Yes, they can, along with bug spray, shampoo, sunscreen, Slimfast bars and condoms. There is also a “cold pack” available for only $5, which contains pain reliever, cough suppressant, throat lozenges, tissues and chicken soup, all of which are full-sized products. Dr. Deichen said they compare prices of products sold at Walgreen Drug Stores and Wal-Mart and try to make the pharmacy’s products cheaper.
“Our mission is to serve the student,” Dr. Deichen said. The Health Center is on the Web at www.shs.ucf.edu. The site has several health-related links and also answers questions concerning office hours, phone numbers and sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing. Students can also download forms for insurance and immunizations. Dr. Deichen said he is very interested in writing for this column and in opening the question and answer forum for students.
If students have questions concerning eating disorders, allergies, panic attacks, the Pill, depression, STD's or any other topic, they are only a click away from an anonymous e-mail to a doctor. The next issue of this staff’s online magazine will be available on the Web Oct. 31, so e-mail us with your questions, and please visit the Student Health Center if you have an immediate and serious problem. The doctor is in! Just click here!
Health Center visits are free for all students!