Frequently Asked Questions
General
At what age should a woman start PAP testing?
Current national guidelines recommend age 21 or at the onset of sexual activity. For more complete information on PAP testing, the NIH has an excellent interactive tutorial.
What are the new US dietary guidelines?
In 2005 new dietary and lifestyle guidlines were co-jointly developed by the US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. These guidelines were formulated after looking at the current level of scientific evidence surrounding the "big picture" of how one can promote their health. The acronym that best summarizes the key recommendations is, CQE (cut Calories, choose Quality foods, and Exercise daily). All Americans should know the specific details of these guidelines.
Health Data Form (HDF)
What to do if you are an international student and need to have tuberculosis screening (PPD test) done in the US, but will not be arriving in the US until late summer
If your health data form is otherwise complete (i.e., all other sections have been properly completed) you may send in the form and obtain TB testing after arrival in the US. Indicate your intentions by writing on the form in the TB screening section, "will get upon arrival in the US" and also attach a cover letter stating this. Make a copy of these documents for yourself and send the form. Your form will not be considered late, but it will be considered incomplete until the TB testing is done. Keep in mind that TB testing is a 2-step process. After the test is placed, by injection, you must return 48 hours later to have the test read. The test is not complete until a health care professional has interpreted the results and signed appropriate documentation. Your health data form will be considered complete when we receive the TB screening documentation.
Where is the "Verification Card" listed on the HDF?
If you downloaded the Health Data Form (HDF) or were sent a HDF that was downloaded off the website there is NO verification card. Don't worry about it.
Help. I lost all of my immunization documentation. I know I received all the shots as a child, but I can't find my records.
If you WERE vaccinated as a child, but the records were lost then you need to obtain boosters, and provide documentation, for dT(Tetanus-diphtheria), MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella), and polio. If this is the case then your physician should indicate that previous childhood vaccination records are lost or unavailable, and then administer and document the booster vaccinations. (Of course you must still complete the TB screening requirements.)
I never received any immunizations as a child. What should I do?
If, for some reason you did not receive ANY vaccinations during childhood, then you will need to start on the appropriate series. There are specific guidelines (www.cdc.gov) for how these vaccinations are done for an adult not previously immunized. Your physician should know this and should be able to start you on the various immunization series. Your physician should indicate on the form that you are a previously un-immunized adult and are starting on the adult series. Your physician should indicate the immunizations given, and then write in the expected dates for future immunizations (i.e., the anticipated immunization schedule). Some of these you will complete before you leave for Rice, others may need to be done after arrival (we can refer you to a clinic in the area that can provide these vaccinations). You should make a copy of the form and send it in after you have received the first group of vaccinations. When you receive additional vaccinations obtain a copy of the documentation and send it to us, or bring it to us when you arrive on campus. As long as you have started the required series with the intent of completing them, then you will be able to register.
Why does the immunization section specify that TB skin testing (PPD) must be done regardless of whether BCG was administered in childhood?
Although BCG does protect against some forms of childhood tuberculosis often this protection does not carry over into adulthood. Previous BCG vaccination may cause a positive result with PPD testing but the response is usually <10 mm of induration. A response that is 20mm or greater generally means that the person has latent TB infection (LTBI) and should be treated accordingly. Therefore testing is currently recommended regardless of prior BCG vaccination.
"A history of BCG vaccination, with or without a BCG scar, should not influence the decision regarding whether to treat LTBI. The criteria previously described should be applied without modification (164)." -- from the CDC website
What to do if you don't know your Rice ID# yet.
If you do not yet have a Rice ID# you may leave that section blank.
What to do if you will be purchasing the Rice Health insurance or don't know what your health insurance will be yet.
If you plan on purchasing the health insurance plan sponsored through Rice University then write "Rice Plan" in the section on health insurance. If you do not yet know what health insurance carrier you will have while at Rice University then you may leave this section blank. Please note that the Student Health Service at Rice does not administer or manage the student health insurance plan sponsored through Rice.
Help for international students concerned about not being able to get the form in by the deadline.
If you are an international student and you do not think you can have the form in our office by the indicated deadline we will waive the late fee. However you must notify our office that the form will be late, request a waiver of the late fee, and indicate when you think the form will be delivered to us. You may bring the form with you to campus and hand-deliver it.