If you’re a college student, maintaining healthy routines is important even when you’re away from home. On campus and in social settings, you face many new health concerns, including respiratory viruses, reproductive health and alcohol consumption. You can do many things to stay healthy, but you should also seek proper medical care when you are feeling unwell.

Some tips for staying healthy while you’re in college include:

• Drink plenty of fluids and get at least eight hours of sleep each night.
• If you drink alcohol, limit it to no more than one (women) or two (men) servings per day.
• Wash your hands and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. If you’re sick, stay home and away from other people, so you don’t spread the illness. 
• Get a yearly physical to make sure your health screenings are up to date. 
• Persons with a vagina and cervix should get a pap smear every three years beginning at age 21, and every five years after age 30.
• Even if you’re on birth control, it’s important to wear a condom EVERY time you have sex.
• Get checked regularly for sexually transmitted infections if you are sexually active.

Can I use telehealth services, or should I visit my doctor in person?

Depending on your health concern, you may be able to use telehealth services. In some cases, an in-person visit will be required. If you’re unsure whether you need an in-person or virtual appointment, this list of telehealth visit types by condition is a good place to start. 

Conditions that can be easily diagnosed and treated via telehealth include:

• Some upper respiratory infections (symptoms like coughs, sore throats and stuffy noses)
• Allergies
• Minor cuts
• Sunburns
• Certain skin conditions (rashes, poison ivy, acne and skin lesions) that can be shown clearly during a video visit

Conditions that may require an in-person visit to a clinic include:

• Symptoms of a urinary tract infection
• Vaginal concerns like itching or discharge
• Testicular pain
• Abdominal pain
• Certain injuries not easily captured on camera
• Ear pain
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing  

What health care options are available to Nebraska college students?

As a college student, you may live far from your usual family doctor. The University Health Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the UNO Health Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha offer many options for currently enrolled students. This includes in-person and telehealth visits for primary care, mental health medication management and physical therapy services (UNL only).

If you’re a Nebraska resident or are attending another college in our state, telehealth services through Nebraska Medicine are also available to you.

Nebraska Medicine offers a few different types of virtual visits. They are available for both primary and specialty care. Here's a quick explanation of each type:

1. E-Visit: If you’re a current Nebraska Medicine patient with a One Chart patient account, you’re eligible for an E-Visit. To begin an E-Visit, you will fill out and submit a questionnaire about how you're feeling. A provider will review the information and provide treatment recommendations or next steps.
2. Pre-scheduled video visit: Video visits can be scheduled with your provider in the same way as in-person visits. Pre-scheduled video visits can be used for both primary and specialty care. Video visits are a good option if you have ongoing conditions, like chronic allergies, bouts of asthma, or regular migraines that need frequent monitoring by a doctor.
3. Immediate Care Video Visit: If you need immediate evaluation and treatment, you can request an Immediate Care Video Visit with a local provider. Our telehealth home video visits connect you with University Health Center board-certified providers whenever and wherever it’s most convenient for you.