Protect Yourself Against Respiratory Illness

#beWellUGA, health topics

Be a #HealthyDawg! Keep yourself and the UGA community healthy!

Stop the spread of germs. Help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms' length) from other people.

Follow these simple steps to help prevent the spread of respiratory illness:

  1. Get a flu shot. The best way to prevent the flu is to be immune to the viruses. If you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, you should get one!
    New for 2020: Flu shots in the UHC Pharmacy, no appointment needed! M-F, 8am-5pm
  2. Practice good hand hygiene by either washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or by using alcohol-based hand sanitizer which contains at least 60% alcohol.
  3. Do not touch your face, eyes, or mouth unless your hands are clean.
  4. Maintain social distancing.
    Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. Six feet is about 2 arms’ length.
  5. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    Feel like you’ve been exposed? Check out surveillance testing on campus, surveillance testing pop-ups, and utilize DawgCheck daily.
  6. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands!) when coughing or sneezing, and then throw the tissue in the trash. An uncovered cough or sneeze can project respiratory droplets 3 to 6 feet or more!
  7. Stay home if you’re feeling sick.
  8. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  9. Be open with your possible exposure to others.

Not feeling well?

UGA students: in-person or Telehealth visits are available. Schedule an appointment online with your Primary Care Provider using the UHC Patient Portal at www.uhs.uga.edu or call 706-542-1162. Do not walk in. Masks are mandatory.  All others, contact your community health care provider.

Symptoms can include the following: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

Visit the CDC website for more information about symptoms, when to seek emergency medical attention, the difference between flu and COVID-19, and more.

Written by: University Health Center