Frequently Asked Questions

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a very contagious respiratory illness. Symptoms may appear 5 to 21 days after infection.

Whooping cough symptoms may begin like a common cold, but unlike a cold, the coughing can last for weeks or months. Adults may not “whoop” but instead have coughing fits that may cause gagging or vomiting.

Age and underlying medical conditions can increase someone's risk of getting severe whooping cough. It's especially important to prevent the following people from getting sick.

Babies younger than 1 year old are at greatest risk for getting whooping cough and having severe complications from it.

People with pre-existing health conditions (immunocompromised or moderate to severe asthma) are at high risk for developing a severe infection.

Treating whooping cough early with appropriate antibiotics may make the infection less serious.

If you've been closely exposed to someone with whooping cough, talk to a healthcare provider about preventive antibiotics. A healthcare provider or health department generally decides who should get preventive antibiotics.

If you have symptoms of whooping cough, stay home and seek care with your healthcare provider. Stay home during the 1^st 5 days of antibiotic treatment. Once you have been tested, stay home until you get results.  If you do not have a local healthcare provider you can go to an urgent care clinic or UAH Health Services.  Web-book through the Charger Health Portal

The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends whooping cough vaccination for everyone. Review your vaccination record; if you have not had Tdap in the past 10 years, you may need to be boosted. Tdap boosters can be obtained at your PCP, most pharmacies, and UAH Health Services.

You do not need to report illnesses to the UAH Health Center.

If you are sick and need guidance or testing, please make an appointment to be seen at the clinic or at your personal healthcare providers office.

On 3/1/2024 the CDC released the "Respiratory Virus Guidance" update. Per these guidelines you are advised to self-isolate to avoid spread of disease.  You may return to class/work/sports when your symptoms are getting better overall AND you have not had a fever (without using fever-reducing medication) for over 24 hours.

Please follow the above directions to avoid spread of disease and refer to your class syllabus for directions on reporting illnesses to instructors.

It is important to note that the guidance doesn’t end with staying home and away from others when sick. The guidance encourages added precaution over the next five days after time at home, away from others, is over. Since some people remain contagious beyond the “stay-at-home” period, a period of added precaution using prevention strategies, such as taking more steps for wearing a well-fitting mask,  enhancing hygiene practices, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses can lower the chance of spreading respiratory viruses to others.

Please refer to CDC website for more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html

Any UAH student registered in 3 or more credit hours and any UAH Faculty and Staff member (including retirees).

We offer a variety of services. Treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, preventative health services, including gynecological exams, vaccinations, health counseling and testing. See our Services page for an extended list.

We are now accepting/billing insurance. For a self-pay, good faith estimate please email insurance@uah.edu. See our Insurance and Billing page for more information. Fees are subject to your particular insurance plan's benefits.

We do accept/file most insurances. We are currently in-network with BCBS, United Healthcare, AL Medicaid, Medicare, and are "Certified Non Network Providers" with Tricare. We can bill other insurances but may be "out of network", or we do have a self-pay discount available. See our Insurance and Billing page for more information.

Students: Students are able to pay their clinic balance with credit card, HSA/FSA card, or have the balance transferred to their student account (Bursar). Any amount under $53.00 will automatically be transferred to their student account.

Employees: Clinic visit payments can be made through credit card, HSA/FSA card, or payroll deduction for active employees. Retirees may pay by credit card/HSA/FSA.

See our Make a Payment page for more information

No, we do not. Please contact your insurance for available providers in your area.

We do ask you to book an appointment online via the Chargers Health Portal or call 256.824.6775 for an appointment.

The length of the visit varies. A new patient appointment will take longer than an established patient; a physical takes longer than a follow up appointment. Most appointments will take less than an hour.

Yes, we charge $25.00 for missed appointments. To avoid this fee please call 256.824.6775 to cancel or reschedule your appointment at least 1 hour prior to your appointment. The UAH Health Center also charges if you are 15 or more minutes late for your appointment.

Upon request we will give you documentation stating you were seen, on the date of service, in the Student Health Center.

A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse. NPs are required to complete a rigorous curriculum beyond that of a registered nurse. NPs are required to have a Masters degree. As a result, they are qualified to diagnose medical problems, order treatments, prescribe medications, and make referrals for a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions.

The UAH Health Center offers a convenient, affordable approach to basic health care rather than the long wait and high co-pay you’ll find at most doctor’s offices. We do offer primary care, preventative care, and sick visits that involve a quick diagnosis and treatment.

We’re excited to share that our on-campus clinic now offers in-house digital X-ray capabilities, enhancing our ability to provide faster, more convenient care for our community.

The UAH Health Center can provide you with an order for services such as MRIs, CT scans, mammograms, etc. Those will then be billed by the facility to your insurance provider when you receive the service.

All results will be reviewed and we will notify you via the Chargers Health Portal or phone call.

"On-the-job-Injuries" (OJIs) are filed through UAH’s Office of Risk Management and not through the FSC. FSC can see minor work-related injuries if approved by Risk Management.

The UAH Health Center is bound to the same privacy laws as your regular provider. All records are confidential. No one can see your chart without your permission.