Seasonal changes, stress, underlying health issues, and shared living and learning spaces may increase your risk for acute respiratory infections. Prevention is your first line of defense. If you do get sick, we’ll help you get the care you need so you can get back to enjoying your classes, friends and campus activities.

While we no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations, we strongly encourage members of our campus community to adhere to public health recommendations for vaccination to protect against COVID-19, as well as influenza and other diseases.

Symptoms and Self-Care

There are over 200 types of respiratory viruses, many causing cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, congestion and fatigue. These symptoms usually last 7-10 days, though coughs may persist longer.

Most cases improve with self-care. Be sure to get plenty of sleep (at least 8 hours per day), stay hydrated with water, juice, or warm lemon water with honey, and eat whole foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. You can also gargle with salt water to alleviate a sore throat. Taking a hot shower and using a cool-mist vaporizer in your room can also help with congestion.

Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or Tylenol help ease body aches and fever, antihistamines relieve congestion, and cough medicine and cough drops help with chest congestion. However, If you’re on prescription medications or have underlying health issues, consult a healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions or side effects with over-the-counter treatments. If your symptoms worsen, seek medical care.

When to Seek Help

Seek medical care immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • A fever above 100.4°F lasting more than two days
  • Shortness of breath, chest tightness, pain or wheezing
  • A persistent or worsening cough
  • A sore throat lasting over 3 days, worsening pain, or difficulty swallowing
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Severe or worsening headache
  • A skin rash or other unusual skin changes
  • Abdominal pain
  • Excessive drowsiness or confusion due to dehydration

Getting Medical Care

For medical emergencies, call 911 or Campus Safety at 508-286-3333.

If you wish to be seen at Sturdy Health Primary Care, you must schedule an appointment as this is not a walk-in clinic. Call the main desk at 508-285-9500 during regular business hours: Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 PM and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For non-urgent medical questions contact Abby Egginton in Wheaton’s Office of Health Services. Abby is a registered nurse here on campus. She will answer your questions to help you get the care you need. Abby can be reached at 508-286-8210 during regular business hours, Monday-Friday from  8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Stop the Spread

To help stop the spread of respiratory viruses on campus, limit your contact with others while symptomatic. We advise you to stay in your room until you are fever-free for 24 hours without medication. When you resume activities, take extra precautions such as physical distancing, proper handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and masking while symptoms last.

While masking is optional, it is effective in protecting others. We recommend wearing a mask when in close proximity to roommates, classmates, faculty and staff until your symptoms have resolved. If you live in a double or suite, masking is recommended in shared spaces while you’re awake. It’s also helpful to open windows and doors or use a fan or air purifier to increase ventilation. If your roommate is unable to stay with another friend on campus for a few days, you may consider reconfiguring your room to keep some distance.

Please note: if you have respiratory or other symptoms during an appointment at the Counseling Center or Sturdy Health Primary Care, staff may request that you wear a mask, switch to a telehealth visit, or reschedule your appointment for a later date and time. Sturdy Health Primary Care Center practitioners will still wear masks during medical appointments.

Missed Classes

If you miss classes due to illness, please contact your professors directly to inform them and arrange to make up any missed work. Please note: the Office of Health Services does not provide a medical note for illness. If you need to miss classes for an extended period of time due to illness, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 508-286-8218 or [email protected] to discuss a plan.

Prevention

Vaccination is the most powerful way to protect yourself against flu and COVID. However, those vaccines do not protect you from other acute respiratory infections. Here are just some of the ways you can help keep germs at bay:

  1. Get your zzz’s:  Sleep for at least 8 hours every night
  2. Manage Stress:  Take breaks, practice deep breathing, talk with a friend or counselor
  3. Exercise:  Aim for 150 minutes of cardio exercise per week
  4. Stay hydrated:  Drink at least 90 ounces of water each day
  5. Use your dining dollars:  Eat lots of fruit, veggies and protein. Avoid excess sweets and processed foods.
  6. Lather Up:  Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water
  7. Hands off:  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth
  8. Disinfect shared spaces:  Clean frequently touched surfaces (phone, laptop, door handles, light switches, shared spaces, etc.)
  9. Social Distance:  Avoid crowded spaces or contagious people
  10. Get Outside:  Breathe in some fresh air around The Dimple

Thank you for doing your part to keep yourself and the Wheaton community healthy!