With midterms and papers consuming the lives of University students at the moment, the idea of next week's Spring Break seems like an oasis on the horizon. But before hitting the beach, Europe, home or an Alternative Spring Break worksite, students should be aware of certain health concerns related to the holiday and take the necessary precautions.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Hot, sunny beaches are classic Spring Break destinations. They are, however, often a nightmare for vacationers who fail to prepare for the sun and the heat.
Students "need to be wary of sun damage ... use 15 SPF [sunscreen] or more," University student health educator Caitlin Knotts said.
Tamara Smith, president of CollegeSafe.com, a health and safety Web site designed for college students, also warns students to be aware of the type of sun exposure they might encounter. She explained that sun strength can vary depending upon location.
"Let's say you're going to Mexico; the sun is a lot different from Florida," Smith said. "It's a lot warmer and a lot warmer longer."
Smith explained that the heat of the sun also is a major factor contributing to dehydration, especially when drinking alcohol.
"You know your alcohol level, but if you're adding in being in the sun all day, things you're not used to, water you're not used to -- it's a disaster waiting to happen," Smith said.
Smith and Knotts both recommended drinking water to decrease the dehydrating effects of the sun.
Sex ... on the beach?
Last year, the American Medical Association reported that 57 percent of college women polled considered being promiscuous during Spring Break. The study also found that three out of five women had friends who had unprotected sex during Spring Break. Fifty-nine percent had friends who were sexually active with more than one partner while on vacation.
Eighty-nine percent of University students make sure they have protected sex with numerous birth control options throughout the year, Knotts said.
Knotts said she hopes these numbers will remain consistent during the holiday.
Students do have options to aid in keeping sexual activity healthy, she noted.
"If a student has an incident and they need emergency contraception [while on the trip] they can be prescribed at Student Health," she said. "They will give it to you ahead of time if you want to bring it on Spring Break."
Students should also consider the risks associated with the locations they choose for their escapades.
Gynecologist Theodore Tsaltas said though it may seem romantic to have sex on the beach, it may not be the safest option.
"Sand is a terrible abrasive," Tsaltas said. "You can tear the genital tissue to bits in the sand."
Smith added that sand fleas can also be a painful consequence of sex on the beach.
Tsaltas said it is safer to have sex in the ocean as it is "closer to physiological salinity." He does not recommend having sex in hot tubs, however, because hot water can lead to irritation.
Contraception is also a key to safe Spring Break sex, as many sexual partners have often just met one another, Tsaltas said, noting that students should be aware of some important tips.
"Sand can tear up the condom," Tsaltas said. "Also, if you use spermicides or lubricants, they can be washed away leading to further chaffing."
Wastin' away again in Margaritaville
Though some trips, such as Alternative Spring Break trips, focus on servicer projects, much of American Spring Break culture revolves around alchol consumption.
Alcohol is a focal point in many peoples' trip plans, said third-year Architecture student Megan Donohue who plans to travel to a Florida beach forSpring Break.
"Alcohol and Spring Break go hand-in-hand," Donohue said.
Responsible drinking is something all students should practice, Knott explained. She recommended students eat before drinking and always stay in groups when going out to clubs and bars.
According to a State Department warning for those traveling abroad for Spring Break, students are arrested each year in foreign countries for possession of illegal substances and public intoxication.
"When planning on going abroad or somewhere unfamiliar, make sure you research," Knott said. "You need to know the laws of the state."
Travelers should also be aware of the prevalence of date-rape drugs at bars when on vacation, explained Keith Dunn, law enforcement advisor for online company Main Street Safety.
"Never take your hands off of your drinks -- be careful," Dunn said. "Have fun, but don't think its never going to happen to you, because it might."
Visiting the doctor
Medical care -- before, during or after a Spring Break trip -- can help students remain healthy and happy.
Going to the doctor to get prescriptions for antibiotics before visiting remote countries is often helpful, Smith said. Conversely, if after returning home from a Spring Break trip abroad, students feel sick, it is important that they tell their doctors about their travels.
"The [bacteria] may sit in your digestive track for weeks and months," Smith said.
Many countries also require vaccinations before one can be admitted inside their borders, said Kenneth Ott, fourth-year College student and ASB president.
Ott said common vaccinations for international ASB trips include tetanus, polio, typhoid and yellow fever. These vaccinations can be received at Student Health.
Information about countries' required vaccinations are available on the State Department Web site, Ott said.
Don't drink the water!
You've probably heard the adage 100 times, but in some cases, particularly when visiting countries with differing water purification standards, it is actually a good policy.
"If you're somewhere you're not familiar with, only drink carbonated or bottled water where the seal isn't broken," Knott said.
Smith recommends taking water purification tablets -- which can be found at any camping store
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