On this page you will find the symptoms and self-help remedies of common ailments such as colds, flu, stomachaches, headaches, etc.

• Colds
  • Symptoms include: Sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; cough; congested ears; headache; dizziness; swollen glands; fever; chills
• Influenza (Flu)
  • Symptoms include: Sore throat; nasal congestion (sometimes); all-over body aches; dry cough; headache; dizziness; extreme fatigue; fever; chills
  • Flu vaccines are available to Carleton students in the fall of every year. Please contact us to find out the datefor the vaccinations.
• Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
  • Symptoms include: Feeling sick to your stomach, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea

When To Come To The Wellness Center

With certain symptoms it is important to see a medical professional. If you aren’t sure if your symptoms necessitate an office visit, call the nurse practitioner in The Wellness Center. To help make that decision, be aware that you should come to The Wellness Center if you experience the following symptoms:

• Throat: If your throat is sore for more than 48 hours; if the inside of your throat is red or has white patches; if you have swollen glands; if you’ve been exposed to someone with strep throat or mono; if you are extremely tired; if you break out in a fine red rash; if you are getting worse over time, instead of getting better
• Nose & Head: If you have a runny nose for more than 10 days; your nose is very plugged; mucous is yellow-green in color; or if you have lots of facial pain or headache
• Cough: If your cough lasts longer than 10 days; it hurts to cough or you are coughing up yellow, green, thick, or rusty mucous; shortness of breath; chest pain; if you have asthma and feel increased shortness of breath or wheezing
• Ears: If you have pain or discharge from your ears
• Fever: If you have a temperature of 101° F or higher; fever last more than 4 days; develop a fever of above 100° F after 3 days of illness; shaking, chills, or sweats; shortness of breath; extreme fatigue; confusion.
• Stomach: If you have chronic abdominal pain; pain remains in one part of your stomach only; vomit blood; vomit a “coffee ground-like” substance; blood in your stool; persistent diarrhea

Treatment Available at The Wellness Center:

When you come for an appointment at The Wellness Center, the nurse practitioner will ask you questions about the severity and duration of your symptoms. She will conduct a physical examination and may order tests that determine what is wrong. Some of these tests are done at The Wellness Center and some must be done off-campus, at Northfield City Hospital or Allina Medical Clinic. She will then prescribe medicine or other treatments if necessary. She will provide any education or information you need to understand your symptoms, condition or recommended treatment.

If you have become very sick or need more specialized treatment from a physician, she will send you to Urgent Care at the Northfield City Hospital for further evaluation by one of Emergency Room doctors.

Specific Symptoms and Remedies:

Sometimes, there is no need to come to The Wellness Center for general cold or flu symptoms. In these situations, the following remedies can be done on your own to reduce symptoms and make you feel more comfortable:

• Headache: Take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil) to relieve headache, muscle aches or fever. Usual dose of Acetaminophen is 1-2 tablets every 4 hours or for Ibuprofen is 200 mg.-600 mg. every 6 hours. A vaporizer or steam shower may also help.
• Cough: Use a cough expectorant (like Robitussin DM). It will help liquefy the mucous and help you cough up the material. Suck on hard candy or throat lozenges. A vaporizer or steam shower can help.
• Nasal Congestion: Use over-the-counter decongestants or saline nasal spray. Warm washcloths placed on the forehead and upper cheeks can help reduce sinus congestion. Drink at least one 8 oz. glass of decaffeinated liquid every hour while awake.
• Sore Throat: Drinks lots of liquids (8 oz. every hour). Try warm teas/beverages or popsicles. Avoid caffeinated drinks because they just dehydrate you. Gargle with saline water (1/2 tsp. salt to 2 cups water). Use a honey-lemon cough mixture (mix 2 parts honey with one part lemon juice), as the honey is soothing to the throat and acts as an expectorant, while the lemon juice helps to reduce the stickiness of the mucus.
• Diarrhea: Stick with clear fluids for 12-24 hours (i.e., soup, clear juices, water, decaffeinated pops) then progress to adding toast, crackers, bananas, rice and applesauce. Avoid alcohol, coffee, citrus juices, fats, dairy products (milk, yogurt, ice cream) for 3 days.
• Vomiting: Suck on ice chips or Popsicles. Drink 1 ounce of fluid every 15-60 minutes to maintain hydration. As you get better, you can increase the amount of fluid you drink and add lukewarm low-carbonation pops, juices and sports drinks work well. Also try bouillon, soup, gelatin, toast, and crackers. Advance to soft foods as you can tolerate.