Respiratory Virus Guidance

Respiratory viruses are abundant throughout the year, and often increase in winter months. Viruses including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), many common cold viruses, and COVID-19 are responsible for illness, hospitalization, and death annually.

Visit the Respiratory Virus Guidance provided by the CDC for prevention strategies.

Core prevention strategies include staying up-to-date with immunizations, practicing good hygiene, taking steps for cleaner air, treatment, and staying home and preventing spread. Additional strategies include masks, physical distancing, and tests.

Please refer to the CDC guidelines for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I feel sick with respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever)?
Many respiratory viruses resolve on their own and there is no specific treatment for the virus itself. You can support your symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications. Viruses are not treated with antibiotics. If you have questions or would like an evaluation, contact Health Services at healthservices@zsdzi1.com or call (207) 725-3770.

What symptoms are more concerning?

High fevers (above 102.0°) for more than 4 days
High fevers (above 102.0°) that don't get below 102.0° with fever reducing medicines
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Chest pain
Fainting
Unable to drink fluids
Extreme fatigue for more than 4 days

Should I be tested to find out what kind of virus it is?

If you are low risk for a severe infection, you do not need to be tested or to test at home.
If you have certain risk factors for severe illness, you may want to test at home or have an evaluation as this may change your treatment plan.
If you are seen for evaluation and it is clinically indicated, your provider may choose to do testing.
COVID-19 home antigen test kits are free of charge through the vending machine in Health Services, 3^rd floor Peter Buck. Kits are also available at local pharmacies.

What should I do if my roommate is sick?
Follow the CDC spread prevention guidelines.

What should I do about meals when I'm sick?
If you are staying home when you're sick, students have several options for take-out meals for any illness-related reason:

Moulton Union Express is open 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and again from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fast Track is open Monday through Friday from 11:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A “sick meal” protocol for students is also in place in both Thorne and Moulton Union dining halls. Students can simply request a “sick meal” at the checker station when they arrive. The checker will give them a red voucher that is handed to the dining service team on the serving line, who will then provide the student with a box for their take-out meal. If a student is too ill to make it to the dining hall, they may give their ID to a friend for meal pick-up.

Are masks required on campus?
Bowdoin is a mask-friendly campus, and we encourage anyone who desires to wear a mask to do so with our full support.

If you have questions or would like an evaluation, contact Health Services at healthservices@zsdzi1.com or call (207) 725-3770.