Respiratory Illnesses

• Get tested for COVID-19 and flu. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting treatment if you test positive.
• Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
• Clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.

You should stay home even if you don’t know what virus is making you sick.

You may begin to resume normal activities with precautions if: 

1. You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; AND
2. Your other symptoms are improving.

You may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. 

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people 
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease

If your fever comes back or any other symptoms start to get worse, you should go back home until you are better again. Wait to resume normal activities until you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines AND your symptoms are improving again. When you resume normal activities, take the recommended additional precautions during the next 5 days:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces
• Wear a mask indoors around other people
• Wash your hands often

You can still spread the virus. Take additional precautions to protect others from getting sick.

For at least the first 5 days, take these extra precautions: 

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.
• Although not required, choosing to stay home for about 72 hours may help reduce the chances that you spread the virus to others. While you stay home you should: 
  • Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them.
  •  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.

If you get a fever, or any other symptoms of respiratory illness, you should go home. You may begin to resume normal activities with some precautions when:

1. You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; AND
2. Your symptoms are improving again

Then, take the recommended extra precautions during the next 5 days:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces 
• Wear a mask indoors around other people
• Wash your hands often
• Cover your coughs and sneezes

To protect others, especially those with risk factors for severe illness, take precautions: 

• Wash your hands often
• Consider wearing a mask and avoiding crowded places
• Monitor yourself for symptoms carefully

Stay home if you start to develop any signs of illness.

Fever is a higher than normal body temperature. It is the most common symptom of the flu. Although fever may cause worry, it helps the body fight infection and is usually not harmful.

We recommend that you take your temperature twice a day with your own thermometer or with the disposable thermometers given to you.  Keep a log of your readings.

A person with a respiratory illness may experience a fever ( > 100.3 F) that:

• Comes and goes, especially if medicines are used to treat it.

Fever-reducing medicines can be used if you are uncomfortable:

• Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol® or a store brand
• Ibuprofen, such as Motrin or store brand.

Sore throat and cough are also highly likely with COVID 19. A “dry” cough is a cough that does not bring up mucus.  You may also experience a stuffy nose.

Treatment

• Drink lots of fluids-Clear fluids (such as water or clear broth), juice, non-caffeinated tea, and warm soup are all good choices for relieving cough.
• Use steam from a hot shower or bath. This helps keep the nose and throat moist.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and cigarette smoke, which can make symptoms worse.
• Use breathing strips for people having trouble breathing through their nose. Be sure to follow package instructions.
• Use a saline spray or saltwater rinse in the nose.
• Sit up or keep your head raised to help reduce stuffiness.
• Gargle with salt water several times a day to help reduce a sore throat or cough. To make salt water, mix ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water.
• Drink warm lemon water with honey
• Use throat lozenges

Dehydration occurs when people lose more water than they take in. This is more likely to occur if you experience vomiting, diarrhea, or are not taking in enough fluids.

Signs of Mild or Moderate Dehydration

• Feeling more thirsty
• Very dry mouth
• Less urination or darker urine
• Slight dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headache

How to Prevent and Treat Dehydration

• Drink plenty of water, fruit and vegetable juices, soups and broths, and beverages such as Gatorade® or a store brand.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Drink small amounts of fluid often.

Contact Student Health Services with any non-urgent questions or concerns at 508-929-8875, our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm

If you feel you need immediate attention, contact University Police at 508-929-8911, or if off campus, 911