Urgent Concerns

  • 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 1st 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

On-campus Resources

UAH Counseling Center

Counseling is available for various personal issues and topics including, but not limited to:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress management
  • Disordered eating and body image issues
  • Motivation and focus
  • Adjustment to university life
  • LGBTQIA+ understanding
  • Intercultural challenges and dynamics
  • Interpersonal relationships with friends, family, or peers.

The counselors also offer consultation appointments to concerned faculty, staff, family, and friends regarding student and classroom issues. Please visit the Counseling Center for more information.

UAH Recreation Center

Fitness Center memberships are open to everyone...including the general public! Memberships include access to all facility amenities and programs, such as group exercise. Our membership rates are divided into three separate categories.

  • Group Exercise
  • Personal Training
  • Intramural Sports
  • Sports Clubs
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Charger Cycle
  • Fitness
  • 6-Week Workout Program

Visit the Recreation Center for more information.

Community Resources

Common Concerns

    Vaccine-Preventable Illnesses

      Sexually Transmitted Infections