Each year, respiratory viruses make their way across campus. Seasonal respiratory illnesses can include COVID-19, the flu and the common cold. We must work together to keep ourselves and our campus community healthy. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your physical health and mitigate the spread of viral infections to others. As of March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations and guidance for how people can protect themselves and their communities, from respiratory viruses including COVID-19.
Health Monitoring
To limit the spread of COVID-19, individuals should monitor their health every day before coming to campus and stay home if not feeling well. According to the CDC, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
Possible COVID-19 Symptoms:
People who have COVID-19 can experience a wide range of symptoms from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, headache, congestion, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms, visit the CDC website.
If you have COVID-19 Symptoms, it is recommended that you:
- Stay home when possible.
- Limit contact with others.
- Avoid resuming normal activities until your symptoms start to improve and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication) for at least 24 hours.
- Make an appointment with the Thielen Student Health Center or your personal medical care provider if symptoms become severe or are not improving.
Getting tested for COVID-19:
- Thielen Student Health Center (TSHC) has at-home COVID-19 tests for purchase at the TSHC pharmacy.
- Test Iowa at-home test kits are available at the TSHC and the Story County Public Health office at Mary Greeley Medical Center.
- Students experiencing symptoms that want to see a health care provider can make an appointment at TSHC by calling 515-294-5801.
If you test positive for COVID-19:
- There are no requirements for testing for COVID-19 or isolating/quarantining if you test positive. COVID-19 testing is recommended if you begin to show symptoms so that you can make the best decisions for your health and those around you.
Recommendations for protecting yourself and others if you are sick:
- Stay up to date with immunizations.
- Practice good hygiene - cover your coughs/sneezes, properly wash your hands.
- Get fresh air or purify indoor air.
- Physically distance from others.
- Wear a mask.
- To learn more about how to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, visit the CDC Respiratory Virus Prevention webpage.
Public Health Monitoring
All positive COVID-19 and influenza test results, from tests administered by the Thielen Student Health Center, are reported to the State of Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and are included in the state’s “Influenza and Respiratory Surveillance Virus report, visit the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network (IISN) website for more information.