College kid is sick

[Anonymous]

Texts me he wants to know which doctor he can see. So I sent him the two closest urgent cares (one regular and the college one which is not closest by foot). I call him and he says he feels absolutely terrible, thinks it's the flu, worst he has felt in years...but he doesn't want to go to the doctor's now because he feels so bad even though the closest one does take walk ins and I told him so. I feel terrible and hate that I am far and can't do anything.

[Anonymous]

It's hard Op. A good measure: ask him what's he's doing, right then, when he's talking to you. Mine was walking across campus, so I knew she was well enough to do that. Are they calling you from outside their room. How long has it been since they left their room. Are they standing/walking around in their room. Are they flat on their back in bed. How long since they got out of bed ~ ask some clarifying questions.

[Anonymous]

FaceTime him and make him do the simple meningitis tests. You can find them on line—like ability to bend neck to touch chest. Meningitis is worst case but you really need to exclude it.

[Anonymous]

Can he get a telehealth appt and get tamiflu. Just fyi it's a good idea to make sure your kid has flu/covid tests. Really helps with telehealth appts.

[Anonymous]

If you're very concerned, you could make the RA aware. Every college has their own chain of command for something like this. It might be as unobtrusive as the Resident Assistant looking-in on him once in awhile

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can he get a telehealth appt and get tamiflu. Just fyi it's a good idea to make sure your kid has flu/covid tests. Really helps with telehealth appts.

I'd rather not because he needs to go in person and I'm more concerned about strep since his throat hurts. He just texted me he made an appointment for tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's hard Op. A good measure: ask him what's he's doing, right then, when he's talking to you. Mine was walking across campus, so I knew she was well enough to do that. Are they calling you from outside their room. How long has it been since they left their room. Are they standing/walking around in their room. Are they flat on their back in bed. How long since they got out of bed ~ ask some clarifying questions.

He was at the grocery store getting a sandwich but going home to sleep.

[Anonymous]

Remember that almost every campus has Student Health that takes most insurances.

Two of my kids' schools also have vending machines that disburse healthcare items, like flu or covid tests, thermometers, nasal saline, etc. They're often free or low cost.

Hope your DC feels better soon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can he get a telehealth appt and get tamiflu. Just fyi it's a good idea to make sure your kid has flu/covid tests. Really helps with telehealth appts.

I'd rather not because he needs to go in person and I'm more concerned about strep since his throat hurts. He just texted me he made an appointment for tomorrow.

FYI, my kid has flu A and his throat hurts quite a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember that almost every campus has Student Health that takes most insurances.

Two of my kids' schools also have vending machines that disburse healthcare items, like flu or covid tests, thermometers, nasal saline, etc. They're often free or low cost.

Hope your DC feels better soon!

Yes and I gave him that one but it's a lot further away than the other one.

[Anonymous]

Is there no student health nurse on campus?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there no student health nurse on campus?

There is a student health center but far from his place (like a good 20 min walk) and he does not want to do that. He called the other urgent care which is close to his place and he can go tomorrow am. I should not have posted because these responses are making me feel worse. My mistake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's hard Op. A good measure: ask him what's he's doing, right then, when he's talking to you. Mine was walking across campus, so I knew she was well enough to do that. Are they calling you from outside their room. How long has it been since they left their room. Are they standing/walking around in their room. Are they flat on their back in bed. How long since they got out of bed ~ ask some clarifying questions.

He was at the grocery store getting a sandwich but going home to sleep.

Seriously? He was at the grocery store?

[Anonymous]

He can do this. BTDT with my 2 college boys. One with mono (the worst!).

[Anonymous]

There are COVID/flu combination tests available at the drug store. He should have grabbed one of these at the grocery store.