Health Matters Newsletter
December 2015 Edition
HIV and AIDS: What you should know…
By: Lauren Goeing
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a preventable, life-threatening illness caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). With time, the infection with HIV causes you to lose your ability to fight off serious infection. When this happens, HIV becomes AIDS.
Who is at risk for developing AIDS?
If you are infected with HIV, you can pass the virus to other people even when you may have no sign of illness. The virus can be spread by contact with your blood or semen. IV drug users and people receiving blood transfusions are also at a high risk of being exposed to the virus through infected blood. Men and woman can transmit the HIV virus sexually. Studies show that the virus has been found in semen and vaginal secretions.
Here is a list of groups that are at a high risk for contracting the HIV infection and possibly developing AIDS:
- Sexually active homosexual males.
- Bisexual men and their partners.
- IV drug users and their sexual partners.
- People who share needles such as IV drug, tattooing or piercing.
- People who have sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom.
- Babies born to HIV infected mothers.
The only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV is to get tested. You could have HIV and still feel healthy. Everyone ages 15 to 65 needs to get tested at least once. Some people may need to get tested more than once.
Where can I get tested for HIV?
Ask your health care provider where you can get the test. Many community health centers, family planning clinics, hospitals, and county health departments offer the testing. Or you may call the Centers for Disease control National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-AIDS to find a testing center near you. The Fredonia Student Health Center will offer Confidential HIV Testing on December 4, 2015. Please contact the Student Health Center at 716-673-3131 for details.
Confidential Free HIV Testing
Friday, Dec 4, 2015, 09:00 AM
Student Health Center
World Aids Day
Around the world, about 35 million people are living with HIV. In the United States, about 50,000 people get infected with HIV every year.
How can World AIDS Day help?
We can use this day to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, encourage people to get tested, and take action to support people living with HIV.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Encourage people to get tested for HIV. Let them know that some health clinics offer HIV testing.
- Talk to parents teaching their kids about the basics of safe sex.
- Wear a red ribbon, the symbol of HIV awareness and support. Tell people why you are wearing it.
Adderall Abuse is Increasing Among College Students
On college campuses across the country, students have been turning to Adderall, a drug that is usually prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorders, to help them stay awake and focused for studying and taking tests. Unfortunately, prescription stimulants like Adderall can be very dangerous when used inappropriately. When combined with alcohol, Adderall can be deadly.
Many college students think that Adderall is safe because it comes from a doctor, even if the medication isn't prescribed to them. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Adderall is a stimulant, an amphetamine, which makes your heart work harder with each dose. Similar to meth, Adderall users tend to increase the dosage of what they are taking over time underestimating the potential harms associated with the non-medical use of a prescription stimulant.
Short-term adverse consequences of Adderall use include sleep difficulties, restlessness, headaches, irritability, and depressed feelings. Other side effects include loss of appetite, nervousness, and changes in sex drive. The long term risk of psychological and physical dependence of this stimulant is of concern for routine users that may find they do not feel they can function optimally without it. No one ever intends on becoming addicted to Adderall, but it can happen.
Adderall abuse can cause severe health-related problems including a potentially lethal overdose.
Signs of an Adderall overdose may include:
- Chest Pain
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Fast Breathing
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Fainting
- Fever
Although Adderall may make you feel confident, or keep you awake to study longer. It may help you be more alert when you take a test, or help you finish that project that is due tomorrow. Adderall can be addictive, and harmful to your health. And when combined with other drugs, it can prove lethal. If you think that you are having issues with addiction, then please get help. Here on campus, both the health and counseling centers are great resources to get the help that you may need.
How to stay healthy during ‘crunch’ time
By: Lauren Goeing
As the semester comes to a close, and the crunch is on there can be anxiety and frustration in trying to get everything done. Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to. When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It is important to take care of yourself during these high periods of stress. Here are some things you can do:
- Set priorities. Use a planner to schedule all of your commitments.
- Get some sleep. “All nighters” are not the answer. The lack of sleep slows down your thought processing.
- Eat a well balanced diet. Food fuels your mind and your body with energy to tackle stress.
- Take a break. Exercise, take a walk, talk with a friend or watch some TV.
Fredonia offers a program beginning in December called De-Stress for Success. De-Stress for Success is a series of events, programs and workshops designed to help students to find ways to reduce stress in a healthy, productive manner, and gain the focus they need to succeed. Events are free to all students.
DeStress For Success
Zumba
Tuesday, Dec. 15 • 11:00 a.m. – noon • Williams Center, S221 and S222 (Leadership Room).
Dance away stress with a free zumba class.
Paws to Relax
Monday, Dec. 14 and Tuesday, Dec. 15 • noon – 1:00 p.m. • Reed Library Lobby.
Pet and play with certified therapy dogs.
Calm Down & Warm Up
Wednesday, Dec. 16 and Thursday, Dec. 17 • 11:00 a.m. – noon • McEwen Hall Lobby.
Relax with free cocoa, hand warmers, and healthy snacks.
Gotta Study S’more
Monday, Dec. 14 and Tuesday, Dec. 15 • 1:00p.m. – 2:00p.m. • Reed Library Lobby.
Take a break from your studies and grab a free s’more kit.
Yoga
Monday, Dec. 14 • 11:00a.m. – noon • Williams Center, S221 and S222 (Leadership Room).
Free yoga class, learn how to stretch away the stress. Mats will be available or you can bring your own.
Healthy Bites
Monday, Dec. 7 and Friday, Dec. 18 • Lograsso Hall.
The Student Health Center will be offering free healthy snacks.
Relaxation Kits
Monday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 18 • LoGrasso Hall.
The Student Health Center will be offering free relaxation kits.
Stress Free Zone
Monday, Dec. 7 through Thursday, Dec. 17 • Reed Library Lobby.
Take a timeout from your hectic schedule and relax with various stress relieving activities
including: coloring, crafts, and games.
Quiet Study Areas
Reed Library has extended hours from Sunday, Dec. 6 through Thursday, Dec. 17. During this time, the Reed Library Classroom (1st Floor, Carnahan-Jackson Center) will be available for quiet study in addition to the everyday quiet study areas on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Carnahan-Jackson Center.
The Williams Center has designated quiet study areas: Monday, Dec.14 – Thursday, Dec. 17 • 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. • Rooms: G103C, S204E, and the Multipurpose Room.
Exam Study Break
Tuesday, Dec. 15 • 7:00 p.m. • Williams Center: Multipurpose room • Sponsored by Spectrum
About Us
Email: healthcenter@fredonia.edu
Website: www.fredonia.edu/healthcenter
Location: Lograsso Hall
Phone: 716-673-3131