• Emergencies: Call 911 or go to Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital.
• Non-emergencies: Visit a local immediate care center or your primary care physician. All charges incurred are the responsibility of the student.

The university nurse can provide some over-the-counter medications and conduct some tests under the direction of our medical director. Currently, Health Services offers the following care and services:

• Blood glucose testing
• Blood pressure screening
• Flu, COVID-19, and mononucleosis testing
• Lab requisition for blood tests at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital Outpatient Laboratory and Pathology Services (e.g., titer levels to prove immunity or interferon gamma release assays; students are responsible for the fees incurred)
• Minor illness evaluation and treatment (e.g., cuts, burns, sprains)
• Pregnancy testing
• Referrals to other community healthcare providers
• Select over-the-counter medications (see Self-Serve Medication Station information below for the medications available)
• Select medical supplies (e.g., cold packs, bandages, condoms)
• Strep A testing (depending on the severity of sore throat symptoms)
• Students can borrow select medical equipment (e.g., crutches, wheelchairs) from Health Services and will be charged the full replacement cost if these items are not returned.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccinations (cost is related to the cost of supplies)
• Tuberculosis skin testing (offered during certain weeks of the school year; cost is related to the cost of supplies)

Self-Serve Medication Station

If you come to Health Services when the university nurse is absent, you can still get over-the-counter medications from the Self-Serve Medication Station to help you get through your day and return to class. Ask the office manager for assistance.

Health Services asks that you take a maximum of a two-day supply or enough to tide you over until you can get to a pharmacy or back home for your personal supply. The over-the-counter medications available at the Self-Serve Medication Station include:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for aches, pains, and fever
• Adhesive bandages
• Bacitracin (antibiotic ointment for cuts, scrapes, burns, and other skin irritation)
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) for upset stomach, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, gas, belching, and fullness
• Calcium carbonate (TUMS) to treat upset stomach, heartburn, and indigestion
• Cold/hot packs
• Cough drops
• Electrolyte replacements
• Guaifenesin (cough expectorant)
• Hydrocortisone cream (anti-itch cream for small areas of hives or bug bites)
• Phenylephrine (nasal decongestant)
• Saline packets to use with your sinus rinse for nasal congestion or allergies
• Simethicone (Mylanta, Gas-X) for relief of pressure, bloating, and fullness associated with gas

Condoms (male and female) and tampons are available on the bookshelf in the waiting room.

Recommended immediate care centers:

• Endeavor Health Immediate Care – Chicago in Sauganash
• Endeavor Health Immediate Care – Chicago in Lincoln Square
• Metro Urgent Care
• Midwest Express Clinic Urgent Care

Bring insurance if available. Students are responsible for costs.

Call 911 (paramedics) or go to the emergency department:

• Bleeding from a wound that cannot be stopped with consistent pressure
• Burn that is larger than the size of the palm, involving more than the top layer of skin
• Cannot get out of bed or chair due to weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness
• Chest pain with shortness of breath that lasts longer than two minutes
• Difficulty breathing
• Facial or tongue swelling, tightness in the throat, or hives/itching over all or most of the body
• Fell and was unconscious
• A headache that is new, the worst of your life, or one that involves vision changes
• Injury that causes great pain, unable to bear weight (e.g., fracture)
• Injury to the eye or chemical exposure to the eye (consider going to an ophthalmologist, like Family Eye Physicians)
• Pain or swelling in one or both testicles
• Severe abdominal pain
• Suicidal feelings with a plan to commit suicide; can call the National Suicide Hotline at (800) 273-8255
• Unwanted sexual encounter (especially if it occurred within the last few days)
• Vomiting or diarrhea that is accompanied by one or more of the following:
  • Occurred more than six times in 24 hours
  • Accompanied by a fever greater than 101°F
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Dehydration (no urination within the last six hours)

Go to immediate care or your primary care physician:

• Burn involving more than the top layer of skin (may include blisters) to an area less than the size of the palm
• Cold and flu symptoms (try over-the-counter medications or other natural remedies for the first seven–10 days of symptoms)
• Dizziness, but can walk independently
• Ear pain
• Fever greater than 100.4ᵒF
• Hives or itching on part of the body
• Pain with urination or frequent urination
• Panic attack or cutting/self-harm (may also request Counseling Support)
• Scratchy feeling in the eye with redness and, drainage, and/or crusting
• Swollen ankle, not able to walk well, but can bear weight
• Vomiting or diarrhea (five–six times in 24 hours), but urinating every six hours
• Wound that may require stitches (bleeding has stopped)

If you visited Health Services for a minor illness and expect to miss class, Health Services will notify your professors via EARS, informing them of class absence due to a medical issue. Health Services will send these excused absences notifications the day you visit. Due to HIPAA, Health Services will not disclose details about your medical issue.

You may also be excused from class if you provide proper documentation from your physician; they can send it to healthservices@northpark.edu. You should also communicate with your professor regarding your absence and make arrangements for any missed assignments or tests.

Health Services will notify your professors when you can return to class.

Health Services will not notify professors of your absence if you do not visit Health Services or provide proper medical documentation. In this case, it will be up to each professor to determine if you can make up any missed classes, assignments, or tests.

If you need accommodations due to a disability or chronic medical condition, email ada@northpark.edu to set them up.

Yes. All visits and records are confidential under HIPAA laws and cannot be reviewed or released to anyone without the student’s consent.

If you require hospitalization, you can be admitted to Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital or another area hospital. X-rays and laboratory tests can also be done at local immediate care centers. Come to Health Services to receive a referral. Students are responsible for all charges.

Your primary care physician or one of our local immediate care partners can perform physical exams and other student lab tests. You must come to Health Services at 3317 West Foster Avenue for a referral or a lab requisition form.

The charge for the physical is based on the complexity of the exam and any tests required to complete the physical. You should ask about potential costs when scheduling the appointment and what could be covered by your health insurance.

Illinois requires proof of the following vaccinations.

• MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
• Meningococcal (if younger than 22)

Deadlines:

• July 15 for the fall semester
• December 15 for the spring semester

Failure to submit proof will block you from registering for the upcoming semester. You may
email records to healthservices@northpark.edu, fax them to (773) 634-4060, submit them via the student portal, or bring them to 3317 West Foster Avenue.

Most services are free. Fees, which are billed to your student account, apply to the following. You will sign a form that shows you understand that certain services will be billed to your student account.

• TB test (PPD)
• Tdap vaccine
• Unreturned borrowed supplies

Yes—use the Self-Serve Medication Station when the nurse is unavailable. Ask the office manager for assistance. Available items include pain relievers, cold medications, bandages, and cough drops.

All students can receive basic assessments and health education. Additional services are available for:

• Full-time undergraduate students, meaning taking six or more credit hours
• Seminary students, meaning taking five or more credit hours

North Park University no longer requires proof of insurance coverage for full-time undergraduate or part-time seminary students. There may be additional coverage requirements for student-athletes and healthcare students.

However, we strongly encourage all students to obtain health insurance coverage, as is required by the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate. Students can get health insurance through their parents’ plans (if under 26) or go to HealthCare.gov to purchase health insurance packages.

Open enrollment for health insurance packages lasts from November 1 through the middle of December.

At HealthCare.gov, you’ll find various plans and prices. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for savings based on your income. But if someone claims you as a tax dependent on next year’s tax return, you won’t qualify for extra savings. You may be able to get coverage after the open enrollment period if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Email healthservices@northpark.edu. Follow CDC guidance: Stay home until fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms improve. Use extra precautions for five days after resuming normal activities.

• Pain relievers (ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen)
• Cold and cough medications
• Neti pot with saline packs
• Zinc and Vitamin C (take at the first sign of a cold)
• Antacid
• Bandages (variety of sizes)
• Reusable hot/cold packs
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Antibiotic cream (e.g., Neosporin or bacitracin)
• Cortisone cream
• Cotton balls
• Tweezers
• Thermometer

If you don’t have one of these items on hand, Health Services can provide a free two-day supply to help tide you over.

Always carry or store this essential health info:

• Health insurance card
• Contact information for your physician(s)
• Prescription details for any regular medications
• Copy of your eyeglass/contact lens prescriptions

Staying physically and mentally healthy helps you thrive in college life. Here are key wellness habits to focus on:

• Eat nutritious meals regularly
• Get consistent sleep
• Exercise moderately
• Form supportive relationships
• Think positively and manage stress
• Balance academics, social life, and downtime
• Make time to relax and reward yourself

If you’re not feeling well, physically or emotionally, visit Health and Counseling Support Services. We’re here for you.

Germs spread easily on campus. Take these steps to reduce your risk:

• Wash hands often
• Disinfect shared surfaces
• Avoid sharing dishes or utensils
• Get your flu shot annually
• Stay home when you have a fever
• Use Zinc and Vitamin C at first signs of illness
• Maintain sleep, nutrition, and hydration

Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Need help quitting? [Check out Swedish Hospital’s smoking cessation classes →]

The Illinois Department of Public Health requires all full-time students (6+ on-campus credits) to submit proof of:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (if under 22)

Submit your completed immunization record to Health Services before classes begin.

Other recommended vaccines include:

• Meningitis B
• Annual flu shot
• Hepatitis B
• HPV (human papillomavirus)

Food allergies affect over 15 million Americans. Whether you have one or know someone who does, understanding how to prevent allergic reactions is essential.

Symptoms can range from:

• Mild itching or redness
• Swelling of the face or throat
• Difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness (seek emergency care immediately)

Top 9 common food allergens:

• Peanuts
• Tree nuts (e.g., walnuts, almonds, cashews)
• Sesame
• Wheat
• Milk
• Eggs
• Fish
• Shellfish (e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster)
• Soy

Stay informed, be mindful when sharing food, and always know how to respond in an emergency. Always carry the medications your health care practitioner has prescribed for you to take when you have allergic reactions to foods (such as, Benadryl, cetirizine, an inhaler, or epi pen). If you have forgotten to bring your Epi pen with you, know that North Park Campus Safety (773) 244-5600 can bring you an Epi pen. (Health Services has an Epi pen as well). Always call 911 first (or ask someone to call 911) before calling Campus Safety for an Epi pen.

Never isolate yourself if you think you are having a severe allergic reaction (such as, walking off to the bathroom to be alone).
Avoid the foods that cause allergic reactions for you and ask questions about any foods that do not have labels attached.
Meet with the university nurse to ask any questions about your food allergies and discuss plans to prevent allergic reactions.

Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. They do not work on viral infections like:

• Common cold
• Flu (antiviral meds may be used)
• Most sore throats (unless strep throat)
• Sinus infections (usually viral at first)
• Acute bronchitis

Some bacterial infections treated with antibiotics include:

• Ear infections (if necessary)
• Strep throat
• Pneumonia
• Bladder infections
• Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia

• Rest and sleep
• Drink lots of non-caffeinated fluids
• Eat healthy foods if you can
• Use over-the-counter meds and saline nasal washes for symptoms
• Use a humidifier or take hot showers to ease congestion

Health Services offers a Self-Serve Medication Station with free two-day supplies of ibuprofen and cold meds to help you get back to class.

• Antibiotics can cause side effects: nausea, diarrhea, yeast infections
• Allergies to antibiotics are common and can be severe
• Overuse leads to antibiotic resistance, making bacteria stronger and harder to treat
• Taking antibiotics without a prescription prevents doctors from identifying the right treatment

• Only take antibiotics prescribed to you
• Finish your entire antibiotic course as directed
• Never use leftover antibiotics or those prescribed to someone else
• Avoid antibacterial soaps; regular soap and water is enough

No. Regular soap and thorough hand washing are sufficient. Antibacterial products can increase antibiotic resistance.

• Cough: Guaifenesin (expectorant) or Guaifenesin DM (suppressant; avoid if asthmatic)
• Fever/Aches: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Nasal congestion: Saline nasal washes, Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine (avoid if you have high blood pressure or take certain antidepressants)
• Sore throat: Warm salt water gargles, Chloraseptic spray, Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen

• Tell your provider if you had a bad reaction.
• Not all side effects are allergies (e.g., nausea, diarrhea, yeast infections).
• Allergic symptoms include rash, itching, hives, lip/tongue swelling, or breathing trouble (emergency).

Probiotics can help replenish good gut bacteria lost during antibiotic treatment. Yogurt, kefir, or supplements are common sources.

Talk to your doctor before starting probiotics, especially if you have immune system issues.