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Staying home

If your student isn’t feeling well, encourage them to stay home and away from others (including those they live with). ÌýWearing a mask while sick can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses to roommates or housemates.Ìý

If your student is going to miss class or work due to an illness, they should let their instructors and/or supervisors know. Encourage your student to contact their instructors or supervisors directly to explain their situation and inform them they cannot attend class. Students should email any assignments that are due and let their instructors know they will make up any missed coursework. If your student thinks they may be absent for longer, they should communicate that and ask their instructors to discuss a plan to keep up in class.ÌýStudents can also contact Disability Services if they have a temporary medical condition, including illness, injuries or surgery.Ìý

Students can typically get back to their normal activities after at least 24 hours if their symptoms are getting better overall and if they don’t have a fever. This can decrease the chances of others on campus getting sick.ÌýÌýÌý

Monitoring symptoms

Many illnesses share symptoms, and it can be hard to tell exactly what your student may have, especially in the early days of an infection. For instance, fatigue, fever, sore throat, and headaches are common among many illnesses including flu, cold, mono, strep throat and COVID. Testing at Wardenburg Health Center or a local medical clinic can help your student narrow down the list of possible illnesses. At-home test kits for COVID are available over the counter at the Apothecary Pharmacy. Most local pharmacies also carry COVID test kits as well as combined test kits for both influenza and COVID.ÌýÌý

While they’re sick, encourage your student to monitor their symptoms and consider masking up to protect those around them. Most illnesses can be managed at home with basic remedies.ÌýÌýÌý

Here are a few at-home options your student can try:Ìý

• Drink plenty of fluids like water or tea, or electrolyte beverages like Gatorade or Pedialyte.

• Get extra rest to help their body recover.Ìý

• Use cough drops, gargle with saltwater or try honey sticks to relieve a sore throat.Ìý

• Use over-the-counter medications to help manage symptoms like fever, sore throat, nausea or diarrhea.ÌýÌýÌý

Need supplies? Here are some resources available on campus:Ìý

• Students can pick up free illness care supplies on the third floor of Wardenburg Health Center in the Wellness Suite.Ìý

• Students can order free cold care supplies for on-campus delivery to residence halls through the Buff Box program.

• Students can stop by the Apothecary Pharmacy to purchase COVID test kits, over-the-counter medications and prescriptions.Ìý ÌýÌý

Seeking care

If your student is unsure what to do or has questions, encourage them to call their primary care provider or the main line at Medical Services (303-492-5101). They can also schedule themselves for a same-day call back with a Medical Services nurse through their MyCUHealth patient portal (mycuhealth.colorado.edu).Ìý If they call Medical Services or schedule for a nurse advice call back, they can talk with a nurse to discuss symptoms and treatment options, including whether they should take care of themselves at home or seek medical care.ÌýÌý

As part of Medical Services dedication to providing on-campus access to acute illness care for students during times of high demand, Wardenburg Health Center operates additional evening clinic after-hours visits for cold and flu symptoms from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday as needed. Eligibility for accessing the after-hours clinic includes:

• Illness symptoms for five days or less

• Cold symptoms: cough, runny nose, congestion, sore throat

• Headache, body aches, fever, diarrhea, earache, eye rednessÌý

To schedule a same day after-hours clinic appointment, students can call 303-492-5101 before 5 p.m. (online scheduling not available).Ìý

For other after-hours support, students can schedule a free virtual appointment on-demand through AcademicLiveCare or visit a local urgent care facility.Ìý

Your student should seek emergency medical care immediately if they have any of the following symptoms:ÌýÌý

• Difficulty breathingÌý

• Persistent pain or pressure in their chestÌý

• Sudden confusionÌý

• Inability to wake or stay awakeÌý

• Bluish lips, face or skinÌýÌýÌý

Students should call 911 or head to a local emergency room. They can also contact their medical provider if they are experiencing severe symptoms and aren’t sure if they need urgent support.ÌýÌý

Finding support

Medical ServicesÌý
Students can call Medical Services at 303-492-5101 or schedule themselves for a Medical Services nurse advice same-day call back through their MyCUHealth patient portal (mycuhealth.colorado.edu) to discuss their symptoms and figure out a treatment plan for a variety of illnesses.ÌýÌý

Free flu shotsÌý
Students can get a free flu vaccine on campus during drop-in hours or by appointment.Ìý

COVID shotsÌý
Students can schedule a COVID vaccine appointment at Medical Services, with their primary care doctor or at a local pharmacy. COVID vaccines will be billed through your insurance plan.Ìý

Apothecary PharmacyÌý
The Apothecary Pharmacy offers over-the-counter remedies, COVID tests and prescriptions.ÌýÌý

Wellness SuiteÌý
Pick up free cold, flu and COVID care supplies at the Wellness Suite on the third floor of Wardenburg Health Center.ÌýÌý

Buff BoxesÌý
Students can order free supplies to their residence hall through the Buff Box program.ÌýÌý

AcademicLiveCareÌý
If your student needs after-hours or weekend support, they can take advantage of AcademicLiveCare. This free program allows students to schedule free online medical and mental health appointments from anywhere.Ìý