MyShockerHealth Newsletter: Issue 21

MyShockerHealth Newsletter • Issue 21 • October 2026

Welcome to the myShockerHealth newsletter!

October started off fantastic with our 100th Anniversary of Student Health Services at Wichita State University. Since 1926, Student Health team members have provided quality and affordable medical services to WSU students, and now faculty/staff. Every single person on our team from 1926 to today, made a difference in a student's life. And, we are proud of this tradition! SHS was also in the Shocktoberfest parade and came in first! We had a lot of fun!!!

This month's newsletter talks Pneumonic Plague, Breast Cancer Awareness, Flu and Covid vaccines, ADHD, and info for staff/faculty!

Links to the most current newsletter will be posted through WSU newsletters, social media, and our website, wichita.edu/shs. Enjoy!

For content requests: student.health@wichita.edu

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What is the Pneumonic Plague?

What is the Pneumonic Plague? Plague is an infection caused by the Yersina pestis bacteria and has three main forms: bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic.

Pneumonic plague is the rarest form of the disease, but it is also the most virulent and the most dangerous, spreading through respiratory particles.

Antibiotic treatment is effective against plague bacteria, so early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.

ADHD Awareness Month

October is ADHD Awareness Month!

To learn about the history of ADHD and facts related to this neurodivergent disorder, visit the ADHD Awareness Month site for resources, information, and more!

On that note: Let's talk about ADHD Medication

Student Health Services offers ADHD screenings and diagnosis, as well as treatment and medication. With the holiday break around the corner, don't wait until the last minute to fill your prescriptions! Call us at 316-978-4792 or visit the myShockerHealth portal to request refills.

How can you tell if your ADHD medication is working? Before starting medication, you should work with your provider to come up with a list of four or five target symptoms that can be measured to see if will help after you start taking them. Here's a guide to ADHD medication.

You can track symptoms like:

Procrastination
Restlessness, fidgeting
Distractability
Emotional overreactions
Impulsivity
Comprehension, reading speed, retention
Completing "boring" activities through to the end
Misplacing things or scattered tracking of objects/belongings
Symptoms that are known to not be as changed by medication may include: Organization, time blindness, forgetfulness, argumentativeness

Check for early signs of breast cancer, do self exams

Know your own breasts! The easiest way to detect an abnormality in your breasts, is to have a good relationship with them to begin with.

Do you know where the lumps or bumps are? The vast majority of breast lumps aren't cancer!

Performing regular breast self-exams are not the best way to detect lumps as imaging is the gold star, but they are still recommended so you are aware of your own body.

Your annual wellness exam with your physician, along with age-appropriate mammograms or ultrasounds, will help you detect changes and are best for your health.

Make October your mammogram month!

Types of self-exams, from the Cleveland Clinic

Standing breast self-exam

Many people perform a standing self-exam while in the shower. This is how you do a breast self-exam standing up:

Remove your shirt and bra.Use your right hand to examine your left breast, then vice versa.
With the pads of your three middle fingers, press on every part of one breast. Use light pressure, then medium and then firm. Feel for any lumps, thick spots or other changes.
Move in a circular pattern so you cover every area of your breast.
Press the tissue nearest your armpit. Be sure to check under your areola and squeeze your nipple to check for discharge.
Repeat the steps on the other side.

Lying down breast self-exam

Performing a breast self-exam lying down evens out breast tissue. This makes it easier to feel changes, especially in large breasts. Here’s what you do:

Lie down with a pillow under your right shoulder.
Place your right arm behind your head.
With the pads of your middle fingers on your left hand, check all parts of your right breast.
Use light, medium and firm pressure.
Make sure to check all areas, like under your armpit and around your areola. Gently squeeze your nipple to check for discharge.
Switch sides and repeat with your opposite hand and breas

Have you received your flu vaccine yet?

SHS is still waiting for future shipments that should be arriving soon. And, it is not too early to get your vaccine!

Flu and Covid cases are already in Kansas. The KDHE Infectious Disease Dashboard, gives you up-to-date information on cases in Sedgwick County or where you are!

The 2025-2026 flu vaccine this year has two Influenza A subtypes and one B.

If you are looking for flu vaccines outside of WSU, check out the Vaccine Finder site.

The 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine and others can be found at most pharmacies.

If you are still unsure if getting a flu vaccine is for you, talk to your primary care physician!

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