Health fair ensures safe spring break

BY ASHLEY PEARSON

Spring break just got hotter with prizes and safety tips from the Health and Wellness Center’s upcoming health fair.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 18, the Health and Wellness Center is holding its annual spring break health fair in Young Ballroom. The fair allows members of the community in health-related fields to set up tables and talk about services offered.

The first 500 students to swipe their Tech ID cards will receive a bag filled with spring break essentials such as toothpaste, sunscreens, lip balm and condoms. When students attend the fair, their names will be entered in a drawing for door prizes including an iPad, an ENO hammock, free meal certificates from various restaurants, coupons and a bookstore gift card.

The health fair has been a part of Tech for about 10 years. Becky Gray, director of Health Services, took charge of putting the event together three years ago and continues to do so.

“We want to help students make wise choices and stay healthy when on spring break and throughout their lives,” Gray said.
In total there will be about 50 vendors giving out information and free items bearing their logo. The event is part of the On Track program in the Active Mind and Body track.

Students urged to watch for flu-like symptoms

BY RYAN HARMON

It’s that time of year — when pro-football players declare they are going to Disney World. While there’s nothing wrong with good, family fun, it helps to make sure which Disney property is the destination.

With many recent cases of measles in the U.S. being linked to California’s Disneyland, many are concerned for their health and safety.

Rebecca Gray, director of health services, says that as far as Arkansas is concerned — for the most part — everyone is vaccinated or has one of three state-granted exemptions, which are for medical, philosophical and age-related reasons.

“For Arkansas, and Arkansas Tech, we do a really good job of making sure that every student has something,” Gray said.

Gray said symptoms can vary depending on the severity but can include cold-like symptoms, fever or rash, among other things.

Another worry for many people is the latest round of flu vaccines, which proved to be only about 40 percent effective against the H2N3-strain of flu virus.

Gray said that from patients she has seen, and from her own experience, those who received a flu shot and ended up getting the flu did not have cases as severe as those who were not vaccinated and ended up getting the flu.

Students who are experiencing any symptoms should make an appointment with the Health and Wellness Center if possible, although Gray said it does offer walk-ins on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3-4 p.m.

For more information, contact the Health and Wellness Center at 479-968-0329.