Health Services
The mission of Rhode Island College Health Services is to provide confidential and holistic primary health care to enhance the academic potential of our students.
Each student encounter is an opportunity to educate about prevention and risk reduction to promote life-long healthy choices. Health Services is committed to providing high quality, accessible and cost effective services in a non-judgmental atmosphere that values diversity and respects individuality.
Office Hours
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Effective Fall, 2018: |
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Monday - Friday |
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Closed Saturday, Sunday and Holidays |
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Summer and breaks: |
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Monday - Friday |
7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Phone: (401) 456-8055 |
Fax: (401) 456-8890 |
Click here for information regarding:
Influenza
EEE - Mosquito
Meningococcal Disease
National Investigation into Vaping and Lung Injury
Influenza Vaccine
If a RIC student has a RI-based health insurance OR the Student Health Insurance Plan, you can make an appointment at Health Services for a flu shot at NO cost. If you are unsure or they have questions about where to get the flu shot, please call Health Services and we can direct you to the right place. (401) 456-8055
HEALTH ADVISORY (Mosquitos - EEE)
Please Contact Health Services with questions or concerns (401-456-8055)
Dear Students, Staff and Faculty:
There have been documented cases of EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) in the state of RI, namely in Central Falls and Westerly. Even though cases of EEE are rare, we want to encourage everyone in our RIC community to use preventative measures to protect themselves from this serious illness.
How does one get infected?
Mosquitoes are carriers (vectors) for many diseases, including West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Zika Virus. The species of mosquitoes that carry WNV and EEE are found in Rhode Island and bite until the first heavy frost (usually the end of October).
How can you protect yourself:
- Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that have holes.
- At sunrise and sundown (when mosquitoes who carry WNV or EEE are most active), minimize outside activities. If you must be outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use bug spray. If you are traveling to a Zika Virus area, the species of mosquitoes that carry Zika Virus are active throughout the day (dawn through dusk) and are most active at midday.
- Use bug spray with at least 20% DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Make sure that bug spray does not have more than 30% DEET. Do not use bug spray with DEET on infants. MORE
- Put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages.
List of symptoms to look out for: If these occur, please seek medical care as soon as possible. You may seek care at Health Services (during office hours) or with your PCP, or you may visit an Urgent Care or Emergency Room:
- An abrupt onset of chills, fever, generally unhealthy feeling
- Joint pain and muscle pain
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Urgent symptoms: Fever, headache, irritability, restlessness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bluish discoloration, convulsions and coma.
Please see the link below from the RI Department of Health and the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis/
EEE is active in Rhode Island. Details in RIDOH's Arbovirus Activity Update.
Meningococcal Disease:
MENINGITIS B Vaccine Clinic -
Cancelled by Wellness Company 9/18/2019 due to lack of participation.
Please call RIC Health Services to learn about where you can receive this important vaccination. This vaccine
AND the Menactra vaccine (Meningitis A, C, W, Y) are strongly recommended for all students. Menactra is a mandatory vaccine for all residential students.
Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus. These illnesses are often severe and include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia). Meningococcal disease is treatable with antibiotics, but quick
medical attention is extremely important. It Can mimic the symptoms of influenza. Possible signs and symptoms in anyone older than the age of 2 include:
- Sudden high fever
- Stiff neck
- Severe headache that seems different than normal
- Headache with nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Seizures
- Sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Sensitivity to light
- No appetite or thirst
- Skin rash (sometimes, such as in meningococcal meningitis)
Transmission: Meningococcal disease is contagious, and is generally transmitted through direct exchange of respiratory and throat secretions by close personal contact, such as coughing, sharing drinks, kissing and being in close proximity for an extended period. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are as contagious as the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with the disease has been.
Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mening/public/index.html
"If I had a meningitis vaccine when I was younger, do I still need a Meningitis B vaccine?"
Most likely. Meningitis B is NOT the same meningitis that most children are vaccinated against as adolescents.
"Have there been outbreaks of Meningitis B?"
While outbreaks of Meningitis B are rare, they are very serious. Between 2013 and 2015, there were four outbreaks of Meningitis B disease reported on US college campuses. These ultimately led to two deaths.
https://meningitisbactionproject.org/download-resources
