��ɫ��Ƶ

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by SARS CoV-2. For more information visit the website.

How is COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 is spread from someone who is infected breathes out droplets and very small particles contain the virus. The droplets and particles are breathed in by other people and land in the eyes, noses, or mouth. The particles can also contaminate touch surfaces

For more information visit website.

How can I obtain a test for COVID-19?

��ɫ��Ƶ Student Health Services offer rapid COVID-19 testing. To make an appointment visit the Monarch Wellness Portal or Virginia Department of Health to schedule.

Precautions When Sick With Respiratory Illnesses?         

If you’re sick with a respiratory virus, such as COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or a cold, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and others. Symptoms or a respiratory virus can include fever, chills, fatigue (tiredness), cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.

Stay Home if You're Sick

• Stay home and away from others when sick with symptoms of a respiratory virus.
• You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of these are true:
  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, AND
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
• Once you resume normal activities, take .
  • If you start to feel worse or get a fever after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again and follow the steps above.
  • If at any point your symptoms worsen, or you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing or chest pain), seek medical care immediately.

If you tested positive and don’t have symptoms

• You do not need to stay home but might still be contagious and able to spread the virus.
• Take added .

Take Added Precautions for Five Days

Taking the steps below for the next five days can help reduce the spread of respiratory disease to others. You might still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better.

• Wear a well fitting mask around others, especially those at high risk for severe illness.
• Keep distance from others.
• Clean and disinfect all frequently touched or high-touch surfaces daily.
• Cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands often.

Do I have to report test results to ��ɫ��Ƶ?

No, you are no longer required to complete a report if you test positive or believe you have been a close contact of someone who has tested positive.

How can I obtain COVID-19 vaccine or booster?

To obtain a COVID-19 vaccine or booster visit the .
 

Seasonal influenza is commonly referred to as “the flu.” It is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu viruses can be detected year-round in the United States, but they are most common during the fall and winter.

More information on the flu is available:

How to Stay Healthy

• Handwashing is key! Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• It’s important to use soap and water to wash your hands for 20 seconds before eating or preparing food, after using the restroom, and anytime you have close physical contact with someone who is sick.  If water is unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Flu shots may be available at the ��ɫ��Ƶ Student Health Services or local pharmacy.  During your appointment with a medical provider at ��ɫ��Ƶ Student Health Services can also request a flu shot. Call the clinic to check for availability of the vaccine

If You Get Sick

• Colds and Flu: Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms. If you have an underlying health condition that puts you at higher risk for severe illness (like asthma), consult with a providerat ��ɫ��Ƶ Student Health Services..
• Remember:  Stay home if you are sick to prevent spreading the virus to others. You can return to normal activities when, after 24 hours, the following are both true:
• Your symptoms have improved overall, AND
• You have no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

The Virginia Department of Health is tracking measles. Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus that lives in the nose and throat of an infected person. Measles is a serious illness that can cause severe complications. Measles is easily preventable. Maintaining high vaccination rates is essential to prevent outbreaks. If you are unaware of your status, check your immunization records on the Monarch Wellness Portal. To complete current vaccination requirements, you need two doses of the MMR vaccine after your first birthday or proof of immunity. If you need the vaccine, you can call for availability at the Student Health Services, local health departments, local pharmacies, private doctor offices or military clinics.

More information on the measles is available:

How to Stay Healthy

• Vaccinate: Ensure you've received two doses of the MMR vaccine. Verify your records on the Monarch Wellness Portal.  If you'd like to get vaccinated, call the ��ɫ��Ƶ Student Health Services for the availability of the vaccine
• Practice Good Hygiene: Wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid sharing personal items.
• Stay Informed & Seek Help: Keep up-to-date on measles information from reliable sources and contact a healthcare provider immediately if exposed or symptomatic.

If You Get Sick

Contact a Healthcare Provider Immediately:

• Students should contact their doctor and call Student Health Services if they're experiencing symptoms.
• It's essential to call ahead before going to a healthcare facility to inform them of the potential measles case. This allows them to take necessary precautions to prevent spreading the virus to others.

Isolate Yourself:

• Measles is highly contagious. Students should isolate themselves to prevent spreading the virus to others. This means staying home and avoiding contact with other people.

Antibiotics are ineffective against COVID, Flu, or any cold viruses. Antibiotic use for a virus is not warranted and can be potentially dangerous. There are over 200 viruses that can cause common cold symptoms. Most will last 2 weeks or less, but some can last longer.

Yellow and green mucous indicates that there is an inflammatory response present in the nasal secretions and your body is fighting this viral infection, not a bacterial infection. Yellow and green discoloration does not mean antibiotics are needed. Using antibiotics for colds and viruses only serves to increase antibiotic resistance among bacteria, which is a growing and potentially dangerous problem.

However, you may choose to treat the symptoms of your viral infection in order to feel better. The medications recommended below may or may not help to make you more comfortable as your body eliminates the viral infection (usually within 5-14 days).

Points to remember:

• Diet: Eat balanced meals. Increase fluid intake, which will help to lower your temperature, replace fluids lost through fever and help to keep lung secretions thin. If your stomach is upset, limit your diet to clear liquids until symptoms improve. Clear liquids include tea (with sugar or honey if desired), coke, ginger ale, 7-Up, popsicles, Jell-O, bouillon or chicken broth. Under no circumstances should you share the use of glasses, cups, etc. with others.
• Rest: The body needs rest in order to direct energy towards the production of antibodies.
• Fever: CDC considers a person to have a fever when he or she has a measured temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or greater

Medications for symptom relief: These should not be combined with alcohol. Read the label before taking any over-the-counter medications for information on potential side effects and potential interactions with other medication. Many over the counter medications (non-prescription) contain the same ingredients and should not be taken together. If you have any questions regarding this, you should ask your health care provider or a pharmacist.

What non-prescription medicines should I take?

• Body aches, headaches, fever, pain:
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500mg- take 2 pills (1000mg) every 6 hours as needed (Max dose is 2000mg/24hours)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil) 200mg- take 2-3 pills (400-600mg) every 4- 6 hours as needed (Take with food) max dose is 2400mg/24hours.
• Nasal congestion (stuffy nose):
  • Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE/Sudagest PE) 10mg- take 1 every 4 hours as needed
  • Saline nasal spray
  • ����ܳپ��������DzԱ�&�Բ�����;�Բ�������&�Բ�����;���������&�Բ�����;–&�Բ�����;(�ڱ��DzԲ�����)&�Բ�����;–&�Բ�����;�ڴDZ����Ƿ�&�Բ�����;�徱���𳦳پ��DzԲ�&�Բ�����;�Dz�&�Բ�����;�ٳ��&�Բ�����;���dzٳٱ���.
  • Cool mist humidifier in your room
• Runny nose:
  • Non-drowsy - Antihistamine (Claritin/zyrtec/allegra) 1 tablet once a day
  • Drowsy (nighttime use suggested) - Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 1-2 tablets at bedtime
• Cough:

  • Guaifenesin DM (Robitussin DM)- take 2 teaspoons every 4 hours as needed or package directions or Mucinex DM tablets

    Or

  • �ٱ�����⳾&�Բ�����;���dzܲ���&�Բ�����;������ܱ�&�Բ�����;–&�Բ�����;2&�Բ�����;�ٱ𲹲���ǴDzԲ�&�Բ�����;�𱹱����&�Բ�����;12&�Բ�����;��dzܰ���&�Բ�����;–&�Բ�����;���&�Բ�����;�Դdz�&�Բ�����;�ٲ����&�Բ�����;�ɾ��ٳ� other cough medications.
  • Honey 1-2 tablespoons as needed – mixed in a warm drink or plain
• Sore throat:
  • Gargle with salt water (1/4 teaspoon salt to 1 cup of warm water) several times a day.
  • Throat lozenges
  • Can use Tylenol or ibuprofen as above for pain in throat

Vitamin regimen:

While there is limited data the following “cocktail” may have a role in boosting the immune system. While there is no high-level evidence that the cocktail is effective; it is cheap, safe, and widely available.

• Vitamin C: 1000mg twice a day
• Zinc: Zicam or Cold-eeze lozenges – follow directions on package usually start within 2 days of symptoms
• Vitamin D3 5,000iu once per day

When to call for a Health Center appointment or visit an urgent care:

• Fever greater than 101F (38.3C) persisting for more than 3 days in a row.
• Symptoms lasting longer than 14 days OR worsening symptoms after 7-10 days.
• If you start to feel short of breath or wheezing during mild exertion or when resting.
• Uncontrollable vomiting.