Health Services Protocol with Flu Season on the Horizon
Approximately 50–70% of college students contract an illness at least once during the first semester of each school year, with some of the most common illnesses being influenza, mononucleosis (mono), strep throat, and COVID-19. Living in close quarters, sharing common spaces, and interacting with other students can make it easier for illnesses to spread across campus.
Research also suggests that around 37% of college students delay or go without medical treatment when they become sick. This can happen for several reasons, including busy class schedules, lack of transportation, financial concerns, or simply not knowing where to go for help. Although getting sick in college can be difficult, students at Dean College have access to several resources on campus that can make getting medical care much easier.
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One of the biggest resources available to Dean students is Chapman House, which provides a variety of health services to help students stay healthy throughout the school year. Students can receive routine medical visits at no additional cost, making healthcare more accessible for those who may not otherwise seek treatment. Chapman House offers medical evaluations and testing for illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, strep throat, and RSV, along with services like pregnancy testing, contraceptive counseling, STI testing, and gynecological care.
Students can also receive guidance and treatment for common illnesses and injuries rather than having to figure out how to handle their symptoms on their own. In addition to physical healthcare, Dean also provides mental health counseling recognizing that staying healthy in college involves taking care of not just your physical wellbeing, but also your mental health. With these resources available right on campus, students have fewer reasons to ignore their symptoms or put off getting the care they need.
As someone who recently recovered from an illness, I know how important it is to have somewhere to go when you start feeling sick. When I first noticed my symptoms, I immediately went to Chapman House to get evaluated and rule out any possible illnesses.
The Health Services staff were able to run tests, answer my questions, and explain what I should do if my symptoms got worse. They also provided me with information about nearby urgent care locations in case my illness continued or required additional treatment.
Having these resources available right on campus helped me feel more comfortable knowing I had somewhere to go. I would encourage other Dean students to take advantage of these services instead of ignoring their symptoms or waiting until they feel worse to seek help.
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