Health Resources
Local Resources
Find information on local hospitals, urgent care facilities, pharmacies, dentists and more below.
Medical supplies to bring to campus: Essential items every student should bring to campus.
Health Information
American Red Cross Blood Drive
SEVERE SHORTAGE ALERT:
Donors like you are urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients. Hospital demand continues to outpace donations, and your help is vital. The fall blood drive for Hawk Hill, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, collected 38 units of blood. Thanks to all who donated!
Upcoming University Blood Drives:
Hawk Hill
- Tuesday, March 25, 2025 from 9 am - 7 pm in the North Lounge of Campion Student Center.
More information to come!
Flu Shots
According to the CDC, the best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year. For more information, please go to www.cdc.gov/flu.
Sexual Health
Learn more about the sexual health services offered at the Student Health Center, including the testing for and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy testing and trans care.
Mpox
Per CDC, Mpox (MPV) is a rare disease caused by infection with the Mpox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. MPV symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and MPV is rarely fatal. MPV is not related to chickenpox.
Symptoms of MPV can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Respiratory Symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
You may experience all or only a few symptoms:
- Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
- Most people with MPV will get a rash.
- Some people have developed a rash before (or without) other symptoms.
MPV symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.
MPV can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
Take the following steps to prevent getting MPV:
1) Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like MPV.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with MPV.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with MPV.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with MPV.
2) Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with MPV.
3) Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
If a student or employee starts exhibiting symptoms after being exposed to MPV, is symptomatic and concerned about MPV, or tests positive, they should immediately isolate from others and contact their healthcare provider.
Students who are feeling unwell are urged to visit one of the Student Health Centers for evaluation, referrals and support. In order to gauge the prevalence of MPV on campus, it is important for students to communicate with the health centers. Students can schedule a sick visit with the Student Health Center directly on the website. Residential students who test positive for MPV and live within 200 miles of campus are expected to isolate at their permanent residence.
CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to MPV and people who are at higher risk of being exposed to MPV, including:
- People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with MPV.
- People who may have been exposed to MPV, such as:
- People who are aware that one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with MPV
- People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known MPV
- People whose jobs may expose them to orthopoxviruses, such as:
- Laboratory workers who perform testing for orthopoxviruses
- Laboratory workers who handle cultures or animals with orthopoxviruses
- Some designated healthcare or public health workers
For the latest information regarding MPV, please refer to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Website.
Air Quality
Both short and long term exposure to air pollution can lead to a wide range of diseases. Poor air quality can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause shortness of breath, aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions, and affect the heart. Research has shown that some people are more susceptible than others to air pollutants. These groups include children, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with a pre-existing heart and lung disease. Know when to expect high levels of air pollution and how to protect yourself here.
Smoke-Free Campus
The PA Free Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) is a telephone-based tobacco cessation counseling service offering free coaching, with no judgment. This program has a proven record of increasing your chances of staying smoke free for good.
- American Lung Association: Quit Smoking
- E-cigs, Menthol and Dip
- 11 Tips for Giving Up Smoking
- How To Quit Smoking
- Quitting Smoking: 10 Ways To Resist Tobacco Cravings
- CDC Quit Smoking
- Quitting vaping? Here are 5 tips for handling nicotine withdrawal
- Quit Vaping
- Coupons for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, lozenges and gum)