(This is the eighth of nine stories in UNL's 2009 "Back-to-School" package.) Students heading off to college: Remember your medicine cabinet! Well, not literally, but you will want to pack a few necessities. Seems like stuff only happens at night, and while Lincoln has 24-hour drugstores, who wants to pull on sweats to go out?

So, what's in a well-stocked college student's medicine cabinet?

Over-the-counter meds:

* Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief or fever
* Antacid like Tums, Rolaids, Maalox or Mylanta for stomach upset
* Antihistamine for runny nose due to allergy or colds (chlorpheniramine or Claritin)
* Decongestant for stuffy nose due to colds (pseudoephedrine)
* Saline nasal spray for nasal congestion
* Throat lozenges or hard candy for sore or irritated throat
* Antibacterial ointment, like Polysporin
* Aloe vera gel for burns and skin irritations
* 1 percent hydrocortisone cream for insect bites and skin irritations

General medical supplies:

* Adhesive bandages of various sizes for small wounds and blisters
* Gauze and tape for larger wounds
* Elastic wrap (ACE Wrap)
* Ice pack
* Heating pad
* Thermometer
* Sun screen, SPF 15 or greater
* Tweezers and small scissors
* Insect repellent
* Lip balm
* Skin moisturizer
* Hand sanitizer

Students may have also heard something about a pandemic flu. The novel H1N1 flu is continuing to spread through the summer and is expected to erupt again in the fall when students are back in close contact. Young people also appear to be more prone to the infection than other populations. In Nebraska, the illnesses caused by novel H1N1 have been relatively mild and not generally responsible for lingering illnesses, complications or hospitalizations, according to University Health Center Director Dr. James Guest.

UNL began preparing for and monitoring the H1N1 flu spreading in April, and continues to watch the situation closely, Guest said. College students may be particularly affected because of their close proximity in residence halls, greek houses and classes, and if they become ill, may live far enough that going home isn't possible. That leaves the great possibility that ill students will be fighting off the flu in their residence halls. UNL has an action plan in place to deal with large-scale infections and works closely with the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department and the state Health Department to monitor illness outbreaks and to communicate with the university community, if necessary, about responses to illness outbreaks. Other school systems would do the same.

Tips UNL is sharing with its students to help avoid the spread of the virus or other germs:

* Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use a hand sanitizer product if soap and water isn't available.
* Cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve.
* Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
* Avoid kissing and hugging if you are sick.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Stay home from school if sick, and stay away from sick people until they are better.
* Do not share water bottles or eating utensils.
* Eat well, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep.
* Drink water frequently to prevent dehydration.

For more on how to prevent or respond to the emergencies including spreading illnesses, visit http://emergency.unl.edu.

Sometimes is difficult to tell when you're going to get better on your own, or when it's time to get some medical care. Although not an inclusive list, here are some common reasons for coming to the health center:

* Fever over 100 with sore throat or fever persisting for more than two days with no improvement.
* Persistent cough or cough with difficulty in breathing.
* Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea for more than 8 hours or has blood in stool or is associated with pain.
* Injuries or lacerations
* Severe pain
* Head injury or severe or worsening headache.
* Bleeding that won't stop.
* Painful urination
* Skin sores that are red, tender to the touch, have pus, or red streaks going up the extremity.