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Respiratory Illness Guidelines and Other Infectious Diseases

It is important to stay up to date on current guidelines and recommendations to keep you and others healthy and safe.  As the provider of healthcare on the OU campus, GHC follows the guidelines of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for various Respiratory Illness and other Infectious/Communicable diseases.

Influenza Information Monkeypox Information

On March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease control updated and simplified the guidelines for those who are ill with Respiratory Illnesses such as COVID-19, Influenza "the flu" and RSV. Please click here to read the current guidelines.

Do your part to help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses by staying home if you are sick. You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both:
       • Your symptoms are getting better, and       
       • You haven’t had a fever.

When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air and/or hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

What to do when you are sick

If you are ill, it is important to seek health care for evaluation and testing and/or treatment. 

Click here to learn more about Respiratory Illnesses.

Home tests for COVID and Influenza are available over the counter for purchase at many local pharmacies.  Graham Health Center does NOT offer tests for purchase, however, you may wish to be seen by a provider for a sick visit where testing may be performed.  If you test positive for a respiratory illness, treatment may be available, but many of them are time sensitive and need to be started within the first 2-3 days of illness.  

When you are ill with any respiratory illness, it is advised to stay home until your symptoms are improving and you are fever free for 24 hours.  We know other precautions are also helpful:

  • Help reduce the risk of spread, stay home and distance yourself from others
  • Seek care of a health care provider.  Call GHC for an appointment or visit your primary care provider. 
  • Cover your cough
  • Distance yourself from others who are sick/or keep distance if you are sick

There are no policies for isolation.  Please do the right thing to care for yourself and others.  Stay home if you are sick!

 

Protect yourself with the layered prevention stratagy

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to recommend a layered prevention strategy.  Throughout the pandemic, we recommended the same strategy and continue to recommend the same methods.  

Follow these important steps to protect yourself and others:

  • Stay up to date with immunizations. Flu and COVID vaccines are recommended annually in the fall or early winter.
  • Practice good hand hygiene with frequent hand washing for 2 minutes (sing Happy Birthday twice)
  • Cover your cough!  Sneeze and cough in the bend of your arm or in a tissue.  Wash your hands after disposing your tissue.
  • Keep distance from those who are sick
  • Wear a mask around other if you have a compromised immune system, or live with others who are high risk during respiratory illness season.

Click here to view the CDC's Respiratory Guidance Snapshot.

Reporting Respiratory Illness

There is NO POLICY for reporting illness to Graham Health Center or anyone else on campus.  

Graham Health Center is available for illness care to students and employees.  Visits are billed to insurance.  If you are uninsured, or if GHC is not in network with your insurance, you may be eligible for our Health Emergency Fund.  

Please note, GHC does not provide any documentation for missing class or work if you are not seen in the clinic.  Notes to excuse an absence are only provided if the clinician determines it necessary to not attend class or work.  Other documentation may be provided stating you were seen at GHC, but not specifically to excuse one from class or work. 

Taking care of yourself when you are ill
  • How to Take Care of Yourself:
    • Eat regular, healthy meals
    • Get at least eight hours of sleep
    • Stay hydrated
    • Find a way to keep active in your room. Consider streaming various exercise classes
    • Open your windows and get fresh air when you can
    • Connect with friends and family virtually
    • Do not use alcohol or recreational drugs
    • No smoking, no vaping
    • Monitor your symptoms
    • Monitor your temperature and heart rate daily. If you have a way to check your oxygen saturation (xx%), please do so. Keep a log of this information
    • Use fever-reducing medicines as indicated by medical personnel

What is available to you when you are ill and not able to attend classes? 

  • Health care:
  • Mental care:
    • Counseling Center Resources
    • UWill (833) 646-1526 available 24/7
    • Common Ground 1-800-231-1127
    • Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (1800-784-2433)
    • Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
    • The Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386

  • Physical health:
    • The Rec Center has online resources for online activities.

  • Academic support: 
    • Don’t forget to contact your professors and let them know that you will not be able to attend class.

Graham Health Center

408 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2341
fax (248) 370-2691

24-hour RX refill:
You are encouraged to use the portal for refill requests (248) 370-2679
(If your question is time sensitive, please call the office.)

Hours:
M-F: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed for lunch 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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