I was waiting for my grandson's high school graduation to begin and asked the parents next to me where their son was going to college. The mother said he was going to a small college in Minnesota. I said I knew the college and health care in that state was some of the best in my experience. The mother looked surprised that I would bring that up. When I told herthat I was a pediatrician she understood. The mother remarked "I hadn't thought about college health care." With that statement, I asked her if her son had had a meningococcal vaccine? The mother had no idea what I was asking and didn't realize the importance of the vaccine. I explained that college kids often don't eat well or get enough sleep and are more at risk than other kids unless there is some underlying disorder. I noticed there was a teenage boy with the parents and said that he, too, should have the vaccine. In San Diego last year a teenager died of meningococcal meningits. it was a preventable tragedy.
i also stressed the importance of finding a local internist, so that if the college health service was inadequate, the youth could have an available doctor. Health insurance should also be checked to be sure a college student is covered. I have already started to make inquiries about a good internist in the city where my grandson will be in college. I wish all parents and, if necessary, the grandparents could be aware of the health risks when a child goes off to college.
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