College - Check-Up

Your college-bound teen may think that this "College Physical" is simply one more form to complete to be able to go to college. It is actually one of the most important medical exams of your child's life, as your son or daughter will begin taking on the adult responsibility and decision-making about his or her own health care.

The college health service at your child's college will usually require a health form and physical exam be completed before college entry. However, even if the college does not require a form, The Kidz Docs suggest that you still make an appointment with us for this very important visit soon after acceptance to college.

The form itself will usually include an extensive questionnaire and health history for your child. We suggest that your child complete this form with your help. Because the college health serve will be acting as your child's pediatrician while your child is away at college, it is very important that this form be completed as accurately and completely as possible. Included on this form are current medications, allergies or reaction so to medications, information regarding chronic illnesses, past surgeries, etc.

The physical examination and immunization parts of the form will be completed by The Kidz Docs in the office. We remind you that if health forms are not completed at the time of the physical exam, a nominal fee will be charged for the completion of the form at a later date.

It is very important for your student that his or her immunizations are complete. Tetanus should be received about every 10 years (usually your student will be up-to-date on this). Other vaccines (such as polio, chicken pox, measles, mumps, diphtheria, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus) should have been completed long ago. Dates of two immunizations against measles, or a blood test proving immunity, are usually required. The Kidz Docs and many colleges are also recommending that students receive immunization against Neisseria meningitides, or meningococcus, which causes very severe and often fatal meningitis (brain infection) among college students. This vaccine does not provide protection against every form of the meningococcus, but it is still recommended. Another issue that is important is that all boarding college students have a current TB (tuberculosis) test. We will place a PPD (TB test) on your student's forearm. The test must be checked in 48-72 hours after it is put on the arm, as we must verify and document that the text was negative for TB. If the test is positive, your student will have a chest X-ray and will begin an anti-tuberculosis medication for several months.

However, there is so much more to the pre-college visit than filling out complicated health forms and giving shots, as important as these are. The Kidz Docs will use this visit to discuss and review with your student important health issues such as:

• Exercise and fitness, including developing an "adult" exercise program such as working out, golf, tennis, and jogging when team sports are not available.
• Eating right to maintain a normal weight and avoid adult cardiovascular problems.
• Avoiding the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances, and managing alcohol intake at college.
• Sexual health, including protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (HIV, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and others).
• Campus safety, including avoiding violence, "date rape," and other problems associated with intoxication.
• Managing homesickness, stress, eating disorders, depression, or suicidal feelings.
• Taking responsibility for one's own health, including making good decisions, learning breast or testicular self-examination, knowing when to seek medical help for illnesses, injuries, and emotional concerns.

The pre-college visit sets the state for the health care your young "adult" will experience for the rest of his or her life, along with the health behaviors and decisions that will determine his or her health in adulthood. The pre-college visit at The Kidz Docs -- don't leave home without one!

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