Prevention and Treatment

What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that people with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported⁠—ranging from being asymptomatic, or having mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Refer to the CDC's list of symptoms for more information.

What to Do if You're Sick

There are many illnesses that cause the symptoms of COVID-19. Because of this, it can be hard to know when to seek care. 

University Health Services encourages any student who may be concerned that they have any of the symptoms above, or if they are experiencing any unusual symptoms, to call University Health Services at 541-346-2770 before visiting. Our clinical team members will assess the student’s illness, provide care instructions, and inform students what to expect once they arrive, if a visit to University Health Services is deemed necessary.

If You Start Feeling Sick

1. Stay home to avoid infecting other people. If you must be around other people, try to stay six feet away from them and wear a well-fitted mask.
2. Call first. Call University Health Services at 541-346-2770 before coming in. Our clinical staff will assess the student's illness, provide care instructions, and inform students what to expect once they arrive, if a visit to University Health Services is deemed necessary.
3. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, use the crook of your elbow.
4. Do not go to class. Be sure to notify your instructor, however, that you are sick and find out what you need to do to keep up with your classwork. 
5. Monitor your symptoms, including taking your temperature when you are feeling sick. A fever is defined as any temperature above 100°F or 37.8°C.
   • If your symptoms are mild (runny nose, sinus congestion, low grade sore throat, low grade body aches, intermittent cough but otherwise OK) you do not need to seek medical advice.
   • If your symptoms are significant or start to worsen (spiking fevers, worsening cough, shortness of breath) call University Health Services. You can call us 24 hours a day and we can help you work through what to do. If you need to come in, our hours are available on our homepage.

COVID-19 Testing

Effective Monday, September 20, 2021, UHS will not be performing routine COVID-19 testing. Instead, students who have mild symptoms, similar to the common cold, or are asymptomatic can access free testing through UO's COVID-19 Monitoring and Assessment Program (MAP) and other community testing options in Lane County, according to Lane County Public Health. In addition, free COVID-19 home tests can be ordered through the United States Postal Service (USPS).

If not using UO MAP, be sure to ask about costs and anticipated turnaround times for results, to help you make an informed decision.

Take Charge of Your Health

It’s important that students be active participants in their health. These everyday preventive actions can help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Close contact means within six feet of a sick person. If you must be around a sick person, wear a well-fitted mask.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is the way many viruses (including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19) enter your body and cause infection.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Get educated. It is important that you get accurate information from trusted sources, as misinformation can easily spread when a community is under stress. University Health Services is working to provide trusted information on questions UO students may have about coronavirus and COVID-19. There is valuable information on how to stay healthy and what to do if you feel ill. Visit the UO’s main coronavirus site for information on the university's response, including academics and travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Oregon Health Authority coronavirus websites both publish regular updates on the national and statewide preparation and response.

Our Screening and Prevention Procedures

University Health Services has enacted policies and procedures to respond to concerns about COVID-19. Even with the lifting of the campus mask mandate, UHS continues to require patients and staff to wear them. Everyone entering UHS is required to wear either a KN95, KF94, or surgical mask. Surgical masks are available for those who do not bring their own mask.

In addition to a symptom check upon entry and our standard infection-prevention precautions, our greeters and staff members are wearing masks as indicated for health professionals, and we are disinfecting surfaces such as doors, elevators, chairs, and tables in the lobby, waiting room, and throughout the clinics on an increased schedule throughout the day. Exam rooms are disinfected after every patient use. The entire University Health Services building is thoroughly cleaned each evening.

Signs will indicate where individuals can stand in line to ensure physical distancing, and our electronic health record has the capability to notify patients when University Health Services is ready for them so patients do not need to wait inside the building. Signs will guide students as to which seating is available.