Take Care During Cold & Flu Season

Cold and flu season is here. Take care of yourself and your community by following these health tips:

Get Vaccinated

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are not required at Pacific University, but they are recommended. Flu shots are available at the Student & Employee Health Center by appointment, as well as at many local pharmacies or through your primary healthcare system or provider.

Pacific’s Health Center does not currently have COVID-19 vaccines. Check local pharmacies or your primary healthcare provider for eligibility and access to the latest vaccine.

Stay Home If You’re Sick

If you are feeling unwell, especially if you have a fever, please stay home to take care of yourself and avoid transmitting illness to others.

If you must go out to pick up food, medicine or other supplies, wear a high-quality mask, and limit your exposure to other people. Do not go to class or work with a fever or other acute symptoms of illness. Contact your professors and/or supervisor to make arrangements for time away.

If you share a home with someone (including a residence hall room), try to limit exposure by separating from others as much as possible and take precautions, such as wearing a high-quality mask if you must be around people.

Test for COVID-19

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or experience cold- or flu-like symptoms, test for COVID-19. Home tests are available for purchase at local pharmacies, and limited supplies are available for pickup through the Student & Employee Health Center until Dec. 15, 2023. The Health Center can also administer a test by appointment.

If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the same stay-home guidance above, whether or not you are symptomatic. With COVID-19, you should stay home at least five days (or longer, if cold/flu symptoms persist). Wear a high-quality mask in public for an additional five days after that.

(The CDC offers more specifics on isolation around COVID-19.)

Get Support

If you need care for your symptoms, contact the Student & Employee Health Center or your primary healthcare provider. 

You also can find more details about exposure, testing and care for COVID-19 on the Health Center’s Health Topics page.