Coronavirus
SYMPTOMATIC TESTING
Students may make an appointment with their Primary Care Clinic via the Patient Portal or by calling 706-542-1162.
ON-CAMPUS VACCINATION
Students, Faculty, and Staff may make an appointment with Allergy/Travel Clinic by calling 706-542-5575
What is COVID-19 or COVID?
COVID is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus that impacts the lungs, respiratory system, and sometimes other parts of the body. COVID can cause mild to severe illness. There are antiviral medications available for those who are more likely to get very sick from COVID. These antiviral medications can interact with other medications you are taking. The best way to protect against getting COVID and reducing your risk of complications if you do get COVID is to get an updated COVID vaccine when available.
COVID is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus that impacts the lungs, respiratory system, and sometimes other parts of the body. COVID can cause mild to severe illness. There are antiviral medications available for those who are more likely to get very sick from COVID. These antiviral medications can interact with other medications you are taking. The best way to protect against getting COVID and reducing your risk of complications if you do get COVID is to get an updated COVID vaccine when available.
What are the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or COVID?
COVID symptoms may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose, new loss or taste or smell, fatigue or tiredness, muscle and body aches, and headache. Many of these symptoms are known as “flu-like symptoms” because COVID and the flu share many similar symptoms. However, COVID can cause more severe illness than the flu, and people with COVID may take longer to show symptoms and may be contagious for longer periods of time compared to the flu.
COVID symptoms may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose, new loss or taste or smell, fatigue or tiredness, muscle and body aches, and headache. Many of these symptoms are known as “flu-like symptoms” because COVID and the flu share many similar symptoms. However, COVID can cause more severe illness than the flu, and people with COVID may take longer to show symptoms and may be contagious for longer periods of time compared to the flu.
What should I do if I think I have COVID-19 or COVID?
In most cases, people who get COVID have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care or antiviral medication. There are over-the-counter COVID tests available at local pharmacies including the UHC Pharmacy.
While sick with COVID, you should stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, take over-the-counter medications to reduce fever and pain, and avoid contact with other people to prevent the spread of COVID. If contact with other people is unavoidable, then you should wear a mask and practice good hand hygiene.
You may resume your normal activities when for at least 24 hours your symptoms have been improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
If students are having trouble managing their illness at home or are at an increased risk for complications, then please make an appointment by contacting your home team. You will be asked to wear a mask while you’re at the UHC.
If faculty and staff are having trouble managing their COVID symptoms at home or are at an increased risk for complications, then contact your healthcare provider. You will be asked to wear a mask if you see your healthcare provider in person.
In most cases, people who get COVID have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care or antiviral medication. There are over-the-counter COVID tests available at local pharmacies including the UHC Pharmacy.
While sick with COVID, you should stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, take over-the-counter medications to reduce fever and pain, and avoid contact with other people to prevent the spread of COVID. If contact with other people is unavoidable, then you should wear a mask and practice good hand hygiene.
You may resume your normal activities when for at least 24 hours your symptoms have been improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
If students are having trouble managing their illness at home or are at an increased risk for complications, then please make an appointment by contacting your home team. You will be asked to wear a mask while you’re at the UHC.
If faculty and staff are having trouble managing their COVID symptoms at home or are at an increased risk for complications, then contact your healthcare provider. You will be asked to wear a mask if you see your healthcare provider in person.
How do I protect myself from COVID-19 or COVID?
The best way to protect against getting COVID and reducing your risk of complications if you do get the COVID is to get an updated COVID vaccine when available. You may also protect yourself by practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, masking when being around those who are sick is unavoidable, avoid touching your face, and improving your air quality.
Students, Faculty, and Staff may make an appointment with the Allergy/Travel Clinic for a COVID vaccine.
If you’d like more information about the COVID vaccine, then visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccination page.
The best way to protect against getting COVID and reducing your risk of complications if you do get the COVID is to get an updated COVID vaccine when available. You may also protect yourself by practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, masking when being around those who are sick is unavoidable, avoid touching your face, and improving your air quality.
Students, Faculty, and Staff may make an appointment with the Allergy/Travel Clinic for a COVID vaccine.
If you’d like more information about the COVID vaccine, then visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccination page.