Happy New Year and welcome back to campus! Many of us travelled and gathered with loved ones over the break and may have brought back a most unwelcome souvenir- flu, COVID, a cold, or something else. The Oregon Health Authority is reporting an increase in respiratory virus cases state-wide. As we continue to navigate influenza (“the flu”), COVID, and the common cold as well, we’d like to remind everyone of a few things.
Prevention is key! Mask up if you are ill. Be sure to cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands often. Soap and water are most effective, but sanitizing gel also works. Most importantly, get vaccinated and take good care of yourself by getting adequate rest and staying well hydrated. Vaccines are very effective in preventing serious illness and death. Lastly, stay home if you’re ill.
The best way to find a flu or COVID vaccine close to you is by visiting vaccines.gov. The closest vaccine location to the Salem campus is Safeway on Center St. The closest locations to PNCA are Multnomah County Health Services Clinic (6th Ave.) and Rite Aid Pharmacy. PNCA students can call Multnomah County 503-988-4724 for an immunization appointment at their community vaccine clinics.
Symptoms can be similar between the common cold, flu, and COVID. The most helpful thing you can do is stay out of class and activities if you are ill. We know students value their academics and don’t want to miss anything, but the last thing we want is for more people to get sick.
• Flu symptoms include: Sudden onset of fever, chills, body aches, headache, cough, sore throat, dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting.
• Cold symptoms include: Milder cough, sore throat or fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing. Students with colds don’t typically need to seek medical care, and recover well at home with supportive care. RSV symptoms are very similar to cold symptoms, but in some people can lead to shortness of breath and pneumonia.
• COVID symptoms include: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
Symptoms of these viral illnesses typically last 1-2 weeks, but the cough can linger for several weeks, but should improve gradually over time. If you have a cough that lasts 2 weeks or more, or your symptoms are severe, please see a healthcare provider.
COVID tests and common over-the-counter medications that treat symptoms of the cold and flu can be found in the Wellness Kiosks (located in the 5th floor student lounge at PNCA and on the 1st floor of Putnam University Center in Salem) and at Bishop Wellness Center in Salem. There is now a COVID/flu combo test that can be purchased over the counter at local drug stores.
In the links provided below, you can also find more information from the CDC about the care and treatment of:
• Common cold
• Flu
• COVID
You can find the most up to date regional flu and COVID, and RSV data on Oregon Health Authority’s Respiratory Virus Data website (website listed below).
Lastly, as a reminder, Bishop Wellness Center does not provide notes for absences from class. If you are ill and unable to attend class, please communicate with your professor to make up any missed work as your earliest convenience.
Stay well!
