If you have any of the following symptoms, call to book an appointment.
- Fever over 101 degrees or remains over 100 degrees for two days
- Productive cough
- Loss of smell or taste
- Breathing difficulty
- Chest pain
- Other severe symptoms
Cold and Flu Tips
Stay Home
Limit your contact with others to help our community stay healthy.
Fever, Sore Throat and Body Aches?
Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) and alternate with Ibuprofen at the frequency indicated on the product – not just when symptoms reoccur.
Cough?
Use a cough syrup with the suppressant dextromethorphan (DM), which is usually combined with guaifenesin (a mucus thinner) and take it at the frequency indicted on the product.
Increase Fluid Intake
Consume water, sports drinks and soup.
Practice Prevention
- Get your flu shot – Flu shots are covered by the student heath fee.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (or turn your head into your sleeve)
- Put your used tissue in a waste basket
- Wash your hands with soap and water, after you sneeze or cough
- Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer to use when soap and water are not easily accessible
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth because germs are spread this way
- Do not share items such as drinks, food, cell phones, etc.
- Avoid close contact with sick people
Note: Understand the Student Health Center’s approach to written excuses when you are too sick or injured to attend class as we do not provide written excuses.
Symptom Checker
You’re tired, have a stuffy nose and a sore throat. Use this guide to figure out if it’s a cold, the flu or something else.
Symptom Onset
| COVID-19 Symptoms range from mild to severe | Influenza | Cold | Seasonal Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gradual | Abrupt | Gradual | Varies |
Symptoms
| Symptom | COVID-19 Symptoms range from mild to severe | Influenza | Cold | Seasonal Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fever | Common | Common | Rare | No |
| Fatigue | Common | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Cough | Common (usually dry) | Common (usually dry) | Common | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Rarely | No | Common | Common |
| Aches and pains | Common | Common | Sometimes | No |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Common | Common | Common | Common |
| Sore throat | Usually | Sometimes | Common | Possible, especially upon waking |
| Diarrhea | Sometimes | Sometimes | No | No |
| Nausea or vomiting | Sometimes | Rarely | No | No |
| Headaches | Sometimes | Common | Uncommon, mild | Sometimes |
| Shortness of breath | Common | Sometimes | Mild | Possible, especially upon waking |
| Chills | Sometimes, including repeating shaking | Fairly common | Uncommon | Rare |
| Loss of appetite | Sometimes | Common | Sometimes | Rare |
| New loss of taste or smell | Sometimes (early, often without runny or stuffy nose) | Sometimes | Sometimes (especially with stuffy nose) | Sometimes |
| Itchy nose, eyes or roof of mouth | No | No | No | Common |
| Watery eyes | No | Uncommon | Common | Common |
Sources: World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology