Health Services

Services Offered

• Eligibility Payments: Registered students pay a Medical Service Fee each semester, which entitles them to a wide variety of Health Services. With a validated UTRGV ID, they are entitled to office visits to see a health care provider as many times per semester as they need with no office visit charge. There are charges for many services and procedures to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, such as for laboratory and pharmacy services, but these charges are much lower than those for comparable services provided elsewhere. Services rendered may be paid by cash, check, and most credit cards. Payment arrangements are available.
• General Medicine: Students with common medical problems are diagnosed and treated on a limited walk-in basis; however, appointments are preferred and necessary for students requesting elective procedures. Referrals to outside providers are made when necessary.
• Physical Exams: UTRGV students requiring a physical exam prior to admittance to a school program can have a physical exam done at Health Services for a nominal fee. Call Health Services to schedule an appointment.
• Pharmacy: A fully licensed Class D pharmacy is conveniently available on the UTRGV Edinburg campus. The pharmacy carries both prescription and over-the-counter medications. The costs of medications are greatly reduced compared to retail prices.
• Laboratory: A full-service, economical lab is equipped to do routine procedures as well as specimen collections for more sophisticated procedures that must be sent to a reference lab for testing.
• Women Wellness Clinics: These services include Pap smears, family planning education and counseling, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy testing and other women’s health issues.
• HIV Testing: Free confidential HIV testing and counseling is available weekly. Call for scheduled days.
• Other Services: Health education resources, nutritional counseling, vision screenings, and weight and blood pressure screenings are also available.

Important Information about Bacterial Meningitis

The 77th Texas Legislature (2001) required all public institutions of higher education in Texas to notify all new students about bacterial meningitis (Chapter 51, Education Code, Section 51.9191; Chapter 38, Education Code, Section 38.0025).

This information is being provided to all new college students in the state of Texas. Bacterial meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast, so take utmost caution. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that causes meningitis can also infect the blood. This disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among college students every year. There is a treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities.

What are the symptoms?

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Rash or purple patches on skin
• Vomiting
• Light sensitivity
• Stiff neck
• Confusion and sleepiness
• Nausea
• Lethargy
• Seizures

There may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. The more symptoms, the higher the risk. When these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention.

How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.

How is it transmitted?

The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions.

How do you increase your risk of getting bacterial meningitis? 

• Exposure to saliva by sharing cigarettes, water bottles, eating utensils, food, kissing, etc.
• Living in close conditions (such as sharing a room/suite in a dorm or group home).

What are the possible consequences of the disease?

• Death (in 8 to 24 hours from perfectly well to dead)
• Permanent brain damage
• Kidney failure
• Learning disability
• Hearing loss, blindness
• Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs) that requires amputation
• Gangrene
• Coma
• Convulsions

Can the disease be treated?

Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save lives and chances of recovery are increased. However, permanent disability or death can still occur.

Vaccinations are available and should be considered for:

• Those living in close quarters
• College students 25 years old or younger

Vaccinations are effective against 4 of the 5 most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease in the U.S. (but does not protect against all types of meningitis). Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 3-5 years. The cost of vaccine varies, so check with your health care provider. Vaccination is very safe. Most common side effects are redness and minor pain at injection site for up to two days. Contact Health Services at 956-665-2511 (UTRGV Edinburg campus) or

How can I find out more information?

• Contact your own health care provider.
• Contact Health Services at: 613 North Sugar Road, Edinburg, TX 78539 or Health Services at Cortez Hall 237, Brownsville, TX 78520.
• Contact the regional Texas Department of Health office at: Health Service Region 11: Harlingen, 601 W. Sesame Drive; Harlingen, TX 78550, Mail Code 1907; Phone: 956-423-0130; Fax: 956- 444-3298
• Contact websites: CDC Disease Information www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/American or College Health Association www.acha.org/

Immunization Requirement For Students

Senate Bill 62 (SB62) was passed during the 2013 legislative session and signed into law. For incoming students to UTRGV, this new law, effective January 1, 2014, requires that all entering students 21 years of age and younger attending an institution of higher education in the state of Texas, including transfer students, show evidence of having received the Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination no more than 5 years and no less than 10 days prior to the start of the semester or 10 days prior to the student taking up residence in on-campus housing. The law also allows for exemptions on medical grounds or reasons of conscience, including religious belief.

Students must return the Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination Requirement Form along with one of the following documents:

• A “Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Record” signed by a health practitioner evidencing that the student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis or any other official state or local immunization record. Confirmation of the MCV4 (Menactra or Menveo) vaccine will satisfy as the requirement. The MPSV4 (Menomune) vaccination may be accepted if administered or boosted within the past 5 years. Vaccinations must be administered no fewer than 10 days prior to the first day of the semester for which the student is enrolling.
• A “Refusal of Immunization for Medical Reasons” signed by a physician who is licensed and registered to practice medicine in the United States which states the physician’s opinion that the required vaccination would be injurious to the health and wellbeing of the student. A “Texas Department of State Health Services Conscientious Exemption” signed by the student stating that the student has declined the vaccination for reasons of conscience, including religious belief.

Students who fail to satisfy this requirement will not be able to attend the university. Failure to submit documentation of the required vaccination does not alleviate the student’s responsibility under any contractual relationship with the university. The Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination Requirement Form and documentation can be mailed, faxed, emailed or hand delivered to the Office of the Registrar. The immunization waiver received from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be mailed or hand delivered.

For questions about the vaccination requirement, please contact:

Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases include, but are not limited to, measles, influenza, viral hepatitis-A (infectious hepatitis), viral Hepatitis-B (serum hepatitis), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV infection), Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), leprosy, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and tuberculosis. Educational pamphlets on HIV infection developed by the Texas Department of Health are available to students at all Health Services locations.

Students with communicable diseases, whether acute or chronic, are subject to the following provisions:

1. The information that a student has a communicable disease shall be confirmed when the student brings the information to the attention of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the student confirms the information when asked. If the university president or designee has reasonable cause to believe that a student has a communicable disease, the student may be asked to submit to a college-funded medical examination (a) to determine whether the student’s physical condition interferes with participation in an educational program or activity, or poses a threat to self or others or (b) a test or medical examination is necessary to manage accidental exposure to blood or other bodily fluids or airborne pathogens (but only when the test or examination is conducted in accordance with the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Act (Article 4419(b)-1, Section 902(d) of Vernon’s Annotated Civil Statutes of the State of Texas).
2. The results of such examination shall be kept confidential in accordance with the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Act, (Article 4419(b)-1, Vernon’s Annotated Civil Statutes of the State of Texas), except that the president or designee shall be informed of restrictions and necessary accommodations. Health care and safety personnel may also be informed to the extent appropriate if the condition is one that might require emergency treatment.

Immunizations

Immunization is required for admission to certain programs of study at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley unless the student submits to the admitting official at least one (1) of the following:

• An affidavit or a certificate signed by the student’s physician (M.D. or D.O.) who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States and who has examined the student.
• An affidavit signed by the student or, if a minor, the student’s parent or guardian stating that the student declines immunization for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.
• Proof that he or she is currently up to date with required immunizations.
• Serological proof of immunity to specific diseases

The Texas Board of Health immunization requirements apply to all students enrolled in health-related courses that will involve direct patient contact in medical or dental care facilities and to veterinary medical students whose course work involves direct contact with animals or animal remains as required by the Texas Board of Health, Education Code 51.933; 25 TAC 97.64. The following immunizations are required for these students:

• Tetanus/diphtheria: One dose of vaccine within the past 10 years.
• Hepatitis B: At least two doses of the three-dose series. The third dose must be received before the student completes the first professional semester. Students may also show serologic confirmation of immunity to the hepatitis B virus via appropriate documentation.
• Varicella: One dose, for students who received this vaccine prior to 13 years of age, or two doses, for students who were not vaccinated before their 13th birthday. A history of varicella illness (chicken pox), validated by serologic confirmation of immunity, is acceptable in lieu of vaccination.

Texas Administrative Code Section 21.610 et seq.: Information to students consistent with regulations newly enacted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board pertaining to immunization requirements for students who reside or who have been approved to reside in campus housing.