Being sick away from home can be dreadful. Even when you aren’t a teenager, it’s nice to have someone around to “take care” of you. If your student becomes sick, or even if you’re new in town and reading this, there are a number of places for you to receive care.
First, let’s start with what is a good “sick kit” to send with your student. Here’s some general items to start with:
- Thermometer
- Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, asprin, naproxen)
- Allergy medicines (Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra, etc.)
- Benadryl
- Kleenex
- Cough Drops
- Mucinex
- Antacids (such as Tums)
- Imodium AD
- Bandaids
- Ice pack
- Instant Chicken broth or bone broth
Students have the option of visiting OhioHealth Campus Care, the student heath center located in Hudson Hall just off of the College Green. Campus Care is available to all OHIO students. You don’t have to be enrolled in the university student health plan. They also bill to private insurance. (Remember that at OHIO your student is required to have medical insurance.) Services available at Campus Care include Urgent Care and primary care such as routine visits for anything from allergies to ADD/ADHD management, and gynecological services. Campus Care is able to provide x-ray services as well. Appointments can be made by calling 740-592-7100
Other urgent cares within walking distance to campus include:
- OhioHealth Urgent Care, 265 W. Union Street, 740-594-2456
- Holzer Uptown Clinic, 5 N. Court Street, 740-589-7752
If your student has access to a car, there is also an Urgent Care at Holzer Athens at 2131 East State Street, 740-589-3100.
For true emergency care, you should direct your student to go to OhioHealth O’Bleness Memorial Hospital at 55 Hospital Drive – this is across from the Athens County Fairgrounds on W. Union Street. Or call 911.
If you want to establish care with a physician in Athens, you will find several health systems with providers. OhioHealth, Holzer Health, and Marietta Memorial all have a presence in Athens. From what I’ve learned from other parents and close friends, it can be very difficult to find a local provider to prescribe ADD/ADHD medications. If your student is on a maintenance dose, be sure to talk to the health care provider before your student leaves for Athens to have a plan in place. Sometimes you may have better luck being referred from your doctor to a local physician for continued care or making some other arrangement to get the needed medication to your student.
If you are looking to get your student some over the counter relief, they can easily walk to CVS at 32 S. Court Street. Shriver’s Pharmacy will work with you to put together a care package and deliver it to your student. Call and speak to the pharmacist at 740-447-9201 and they will assist. You could also utilize Instacart to have items delivered to your student. As well as Door Dash for food deliveries when under the weather.
The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.
