´óÏó´«Ã½

Info
Visit
Apply
Health, Counseling, and Wellness Services

Respiratory Illnesses and ´óÏó´«Ã½

Being a part of Mary Baldwin involves caring for ourselves and our community. These connections impact how we approach the cough and cold season, which usually lasts from mid- fall to early spring each year. 

Respiratory illnesses include influenza, Covid, RSV, and the common cold. 

´óÏó´«Ã½ follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recommendations for preventing and managing respiratory illnesses.

  1. Prevent
    • Getting your flu shot and Covid shot every year is an important step to reduce the chances of getting sick; reduce the severity of the illness if you do get sick; and reduce the likelihood that you can transmit the virus to others.
    • Some students in particular programs/activities (for example, an internship, clinical placement, or rotation) may be required to receive these vaccinations. If you have questions, please contact your faculty advisor. 
    • Practice good hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of illness: wash your hands frequently for at least 15 seconds and/or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
  1. Manage
    • Look out for symptoms of a respiratory virus, like fevers and chills, headaches, stuffy/runny nose, or a cough.
    • If you are experiencing these symptoms please consider taking the following steps:
      • Start wearing a mask around others.
      • Stay home or in your residence hall if you have fever or chills.
      • Seek out testing if you’re able: Influenza and Covid tests are available at local drugstores, the Augusta Health Urgent Care Center, and your primary care office. 
      • Communicate with your professors and/or supervisor about your status.
  1. When to return to class, work, or other activities 
    • If you have a respiratory virus (influenza, Covid, RSV, or the common cold), you should follow these steps:
      • Stay home until your symptoms start to improve AND you are fever free for 24 hours.
      • If you never had a fever, stay home until your symptoms start to improve, this is likely to be 48 hours after the onset.
    • When you return to class, work, or other activities, you may still be slightly contagious; consider wearing a mask for the next five days.

For more information and advice, visit the CDC’s information pages: and .