Health Services

Health Services will be closed Thursday, February 20, 2019 from 11:00AM to 1:00PM for a campus event. Health Servcies will reopen at 1:00PM.

Campus Health Updates:

Winthrop University has identified one case of mumps in early February, 2020. Possible exposure would have occurred between February 2, 2020 and February 6, 2020. The case was quickly identified and isolated.  South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and Winthrop University notified all students/faculty/and staff on February 10^th.  NOTIFICATION LETTER 

Mumps Information:

Vaccination for mumps usually occurs during childhood. Mumps is a contagious viral illness that starts like other viral illnesses.

Signs and symptoms of mumps include:

• Low grade Fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Body aches
• Well Known Sign: Swelling of salivary glands or parotid glands (cheek and jaw area). Swelling is usually visible in front of the lower part of the ear. The swelling may be unilateral or bilateral and is tender/painful.

The period during which an individual is contagious starts before the jaw swelling and lasts for 5 days after the swelling begins.  Mumps is spread through saliva and mucous from the mouth, nose, or throat.  An infected person can spread the virus by:

• Coughing, sneezing, kissing, or talking
• Sharing items, such as cups or eating utensils, with others
• Touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that others then touch

Prevention Tips:

• Cover your cough or sneeze
• Practice good handwashing- Use soap and water or if these are not available, use a hand sanitizer.
• Do not share eating utensils or drinks
• Avoid exchanging saliva with others such as kissing, sharing cigarettes, etc.
• Check your immunizations to make sure you are up to date. Individuals born during or after 1957 are recommended to have 2 MMRs.

If you become ill and wonder if you have the mumps, call your provider or Health Services. If you are diagnosed with the mumps, please avoid transmission by practicing self-isolation.  Staying home from work or school or in a separate room and avoiding contact with others when ill with the mumps and until five days after the swelling of the parotid glands begins is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.  In addition, everyone needs to practice good handwashing- thoroughly and frequently!

Additional Questions and Answers about Mumps: Mumps Q&A

The CDC link to information of Mumps: http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html.  If you have these concerns, students may contact a nurse in Health Services at 803/323-2206 and employees contact your provider. Let your doctor know your concerns before going in to their office.

Verify Health Services has record of your immunizations, on the on-line Patient Portal, immunization compliance requirements. The link below, Medicat Patient Portal, will take you to the Portal registration page to set up your account.  
   
                                                       

Immunization Non-Compliance Fee

ALL on-campus students must satisfy all immunization requirements by the first day of classes to avoid a non-refundable $50.00 Non-Compliance Fee.  These immunization requirements must be met before students can be seen at Health and Services."Online-only" students who choose to come to Health and Counseling Services for in-person services must meet eligibility which includes complying with the immunization requirement prior to coming in."

Confidentiality

All conversations, examinations, and interviews with students are covered by state law and ethics of confidentiality. In emergency cases, where life or limb is threatened, the policy of confidentiality will be governed by one of reasonableness and accepted statutes. A student's permission must be given by written consent before Health Services can release specific medical information or any portion of a medical record including releases to parents, university officials, and external agencies.

Notice of Privacy Practices (pdf - 61.38 KB)

Eligibility for Services

The Health and Counseling fee is $180.00 per regular semester. This fee is assessed to undergraduate students enrolled in 6 or more credit hours and graduate students enrolled in 9 or more credit hours. Students not assessed this required fee, e.g., undergraduates taking under 6 credit hours and graduates under 9 credit hours, may access all regular Health and Counseling Services by paying the $180 per regular semester fee. Summer students may access Health and Counseling Services since all fees are rolled into the regular summer credit hour fee. Office visits are offered at no charge. Some services, e.g., laboratory, medical supplies/procedures, will incur a minimal fee.

*Winthrop students that are NOT eligible to utilize services from Health and Counseling Services:

•  Students who are senior citizens
•  Students who are Winthrop University employees
•  Students taking special courses
•  Students studying abroad
• Students who are pregnant will not be seen in Health Services. They will be referred to thier primary physician, obstetrician, urgent care center or ER for care.

In the summer, students not taking classes but registered for the previous and following semesters may use Health Services if the requirements for immunizations, as stated above, have been met. A $10 fee per visit will be charged. The student is responsible for any other charges incurred. All charges are billed to the student's account as "Health Services" and are due upon receipt of service.

Commonly Asked Questions:

• Why is there a health and counseling fee on my tuition bill?

• Information about the Student Health Insurance Plan

• Current benefits flyer: AHP Student Insurance Domestic and AHP Student Insurance International

• Frequently asked questions about Health and Counseling Services