Feeling Sick?

Respiratory viruses, like COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are responsible for millions of illnesses each year. The CDC provides practical information to help reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses through individual prevention methods. Not all respiratory viruses are the same, but many have similar routes of transmission and similar prevention strategies; the CDC has moved to a unified approach, as opposed to virus specific approach, when providing information to the public regarding the prevention of respiratory illness.

If you are not feeling well and have symptoms of a respiratory virus (i.e. fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache), you should stay home until you are feeling better. You can return to your normal activities after 24 hours when (1) you are feeling better, and (2) you do not have a fever for 24 hours and you are not using a fever reducing medication. When you return to normal activities, we strongly encourage you to wear a mask and keep your distance from others for at least five days, and test yourself for COVID-19 if you plan to gather or can't maintain your distance in a group setting. If your symptoms don't improve, see your medical provider.

Preventing respiratory virus illnesses can be achieved through immunization, personal hygiene, wearing masks and keeping distance from others when you do not feel well or you notice that they have signs of a respiratory illness.

• Consult your medical provider to determine if you should be vaccinated for COVID-19, flu, pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• Wash your hands frequently and clean commonly touched surfaces.
• Stay home if you have symptoms of a respiratory virus. Employees should contact their direct supervisor and students should contact their professors and supervisors if they need to miss class or work. As a reminder, the DePauw Health Wellness Center and the Care Team do not issue "missed class" notes for students who are ill and cannot attend class.