Public Health Information

Respiratory viruses are viruses that cause illnesses in the respiratory system. These illnesses share similar symptoms, risk factors, and prevention strategies.

Every year, respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths during the fall and winter virus season.

Protection from respiratory illnesses include vaccinations and practicing good hand hygiene.

Respiratory viruses may cause both upper respiratory tract symptoms (the vocal chords and above) and lower respiratory tract symptoms (below the vocal chords). Some viruses also affect the nose, throat and lungs, and can lead to serious lung infections, such as pneumonia.

COVID-19:
Vaccination:

If you are interested in obtaining the latest COVID booster, please visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ and schedule for a vaccine at the location most convenient for you.

Testing:

At home self tests:  If you are experiencing respiratory related symptoms, or have a known exposure to COVID-19, at home tests are quick and convenient. Rapid antigen tests that produce results in 10-15 minutes.  Positive results are accurate and reliable.   At home tests are available in Health Services and are a combination COVID-19 and FLU test.  Cost of test is $10.00.

Medical evaluation for testing: If you prefer to have an evaluation by a medical provider of your symptoms, contact 828.227.7640 for an appointment.   Test results will be available during the appointment with the provider.   Please wear a mask when you enter Health Services for your appointment. If you don’t have a mask, one will be provided.

What to do if your result is positive:

Isolation: The CDC recommends self-isolation until you have no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications and your other symptoms are improving.

Treatment: Stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve fever and aches. If this does not help, you can try medicines like ibuprofen(Advil, Motrin). Most people with mild COVID-19 can rest at home until they get better. "Mild" means that you might have symptoms like fever, cough, or other cold symptoms, but you do not have trouble breathing. It often takes about 2 weeks for symptoms to improve, but it's not the same for everyone. Treatment is recommended for people who are at risk for getting seriously ill (a weaker than normal immune system, diabetes, serious heart or lung disease, chronic kidney disease, and obesity), even if their symptoms are mild.  If you have tested positive with an at home test and would like to be evaluated, contact Health Services at 828.227.7640 to schedule an appointment. 

Absence Notification: If you have tested positive and need assistance with a documented medical absence notification, use the following link https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?WesternCarolinaUniv&layout_id=11 to submit a request through the Division of Student Affairs Office.  You will be required to submit proof of your positive test.   For more information about the absence notification process, visit https://www.wcu.edu/experience/health-and-wellness/student-concern-response-team/absence-notification-protocol.aspx.

FLU:

Vaccination: 
Flu vaccines are available in Health Services between September and April yearly.  Typically the flu vaccine lasts for approximately six months.    Call 828.227.7640 to schedule your seasonal flu vaccine.  In addition, Health Services hosts several flu clinics, partnering with local pharmacies, to provide vaccination to the students, faculty, staff and dependents of WCU throughout the fall semester.

Testing:
At home self tests: If you are experiencing respiratory related symptoms, and have a fever, you may have the flu.  Combination Flu and COVID-19 tests are available for purchase in Health Services for $10.00.  These are rapid antigen tests that provide you with results in 10-15 minutes.

Medical evaluation for testing: If you prefer to have an evaluation by a medical provider of your symptoms, contact 828.227.7640 for an appointment.   Test results will be available during the appointment with the provider.   Please wear a mask when you enter Health Services for your appointment. If you don’t have a mask, one will be provided.

What to do if your result is positive:

Isolation: The CDC recommends self-isolation until you have no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications and your other symptoms are improving.
Treatment:  Stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve fever and aches. If this does not help, you can try medicines like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). If you have other medical conditions or a compromised immune system, you may benefit from prescription medication. These medicines can help people avoid some of the problems caused by the flu, but not every person with the flu needs an antiviral medicine.  If you have tested positive with an at home test and would like to be evaluated, contact Health Services at 828.227.7640 to schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns with a medical provider. 
Absence Notification: If you have tested positive and need assistance with a documented medical absence notification, use the following link https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?WesternCarolinaUniv&layout_id=11 to submit a request through the Division of Student Affairs Office.  You will be required to submit proof of your positive test.   For more information about the absence notification process, visit https://www.wcu.edu/experience/health-and-wellness/student-concern-response-team/absence-notification-protocol.aspx

WHOOPING COUGH (PERTUSSIS):

Whooping cough cases have been on the rise across the United States.  It is important to help protect people with high risk of serious injury during an outbreak.   Outbreaks most commonly occur in schools or childcare centers, hospitals or large geographic areas.  Early on, whooping cough usually causes sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, and other cold symptoms. It also causes a mild cough. After 1 to 2 weeks, the cold symptoms get better, but the cough gets worse. People have severe coughing attacks. Sometimes, people cough so hard they vomit or pass out. Whooping cough gets its name because many people, especially babies and children, make a "whoop" sound when they breathe in after a coughing attack. But not everyone makes this noise. After 2 to 6 weeks, the cough starts to get better. But it can take weeks to months for the cough to go away completely. Whooping cough typically appears like a common cold, but coughing fits that generally get worse as the illness continues and coughs that make a high-pitched barking or “whoop” sound are common.

Vaccination: 

The CDC recommends whooping cough – or pertussis vaccines are recommended for everyone. All students entering universities in North Carolina are required to have a Tdap vaccine, which is tetanus and pertussis together.   The vaccine protection can fade over time, it is important to get an updated vaccine when needed. 

Testing:

Medical evaluation for testing: If you are experiencing symptoms, particularly a severe cough, you may need evaluation by a medical provider.  Contact 828.227.7640 for an appointment.   Don a mask when you enter Health Services for your appointment.

What to do if your result is positive:

Prevention of spread: Cover your mouth when you cough, or wear a mask when you are around other people. Wash your hands often. Make sure that the other people in your home get the whooping cough vaccine if they haven't had it. Stay home from work or school until your medical provider says that it's OK to return. If you work with young children or babies, do not go back to work until you have been on antibiotics for 5 days

Treatment:  Treatment depends on several things, including the person's health and how long they have had a cough. Some people get antibiotics. This can help the infection get better faster and keep it from spreading to others. People living with the infected person might also need to take antibiotics, even if they aren't sick. This can help keep them from getting the infection, too. Get plenty of fluids and rest.  Do not take cough medicine unless your healthcare provider recommends it.   

Absence Notification:   Refer to the WCU absence notification protocols at:  https://www.wcu.edu/experience/health-and-wellness/student-concern-response-team/absence-notification-protocol.aspx

NOROVIRUS

Based on information from the CDC: Norovirus is the leading cause acute gastroenteritis, causing vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States.   Each year there are about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks, and 58% of foodborne illnesses in the US are caused by Norovirus.  Over 20 million people have norovirus illness annually, and of those 2.3 million patients seek medical care for their symptoms.   https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/data-research/index.html.  Outbreaks are most common between November and April.

Prevention:

Handwashing is the easiest way to prevent the spread of virus.  Wash with soap and water, hand sanitizer does not work well against norovirus.

Do no prepare, handle food, or care for others if you are sick.  You can easily spread the illness.  Wait at least 2 days after your symptoms stop before resuming care of others.

Treatment:

There is no specific treatment for norovirus.  Medical providers do not treat viral gastroenteritis with antibiotics. That's because antibiotics treat infections that are caused by bacteria, not viruses. You need to replace your body's fluids that are lost through vomiting and diarrhea. You can do this by drinking fluids when you can. It might help to take small sips every 15 to 30 minutes. Try to drink more as you start to feel better. When you have a lot of vomiting or diarrhea, your body loses both water and salt. Drinking fluids that contain some salt can help replace what your body has lost. Examples include "oral rehydration solutions," sports drinks, and broth. If you drink a lot of plain water, make sure that you are also eating. This will help your body keep the right salt and water balance. Avoid drinks with a lot of sugar, like juice or soda. Avoid alcohol, too. Eat when you can. If you can keep food down, it's best to eat lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals. Avoid eating foods with a lot of fat or sugar, which can make symptoms worse.

Seek Medical Care:

Contact Health Services at 828.227.7640  to schedule with a medical provider if you have  any symptoms of dehydration  (feeling very tired, thirsty, dizzy, or confused).  Have diarrhea or vomiting that lasts longer than a few days.  Vomit up blood, have bloody diarrhea, or have severe belly pain. Haven't been able to drink anything for many hours and/or haven't needed to urinate in the past 6 to 8 hours (during the day). Or if you have any other concerns.

Mpox is a disease caused by two different types of viruses that cause rash and other symptoms like fever, chills and swollen lymph nodes.   Symptoms usually start within 21 days of exposure.

The CDC continues to work with public health partners across the United States and throughout Africa to monitor for mpox cases and increase surveillance capacity.   There have been cases or outbreaks of mpox in several countries in Central and Eastern Africa as well as parts of Europe, Asia and North America.  For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/mpox/prevention/index.html.

Vaccination: 

A vaccine is available to prevent mpox.   Contact a healthcare provider to learn if it is recommended for you.   The JYNNEOS vaccine is a two-dose series given four weeks apart.  If you have previously recovered from mpox, you do not need the vaccine.

Medical Evaluation:

If you think you have been exposed to mpox or you have a new or unexplained rash along with other mpox systems after an exposure call Health Services at 828.227.7640 to schedule an appointment with a medical provider.  Your provider will determine if laboratory testing is needed to assist with making a diagnosis.  Please wear a mask when you enter Health Services for your appointment. If you don’t have a mask, one will be provided.

Prevention:

Anyone is close contact with a person with mpox can get it and should take steps to protect themselves.    Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer.   Avoid direct or skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox. Don’t use objects or materials that a person with mpox has used.

Treatment:

Currently there is no treatment approved specifically for mpox virus infections.  For most patients that do not have severe disease or risk factors for severe disease caring for the skin using mild soap and water on lesions is effective.  Keep affected sites and individual lesions covered.   Keep fingernails short to avoid scratching as much as possible.   Over the counter pain control medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen are recommended. Topical steroids and anesthetics such as lidocaine may be considered for local pain relief.

 

Mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that spread germs (pathogens) are called vectors. A person who gets bitten by a vector and gets sick could have a vector-borne disease (VBD).

Some VBDs, like plague, have been around for thousands of years. Others, like Heartland and Bourbon virus diseases, have been discovered recently. Some VBDs can become serious, life-threatening illnesses. The most common VBDs include Zika virus, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, chikungunya virus, dengue, and malaria.

Cases of VBDs have increased over the last decade, almost doubling over reported cases during the previous decade.   The CDC estimates that the number of reported cases is only part of the actual case count.   It is estimated that only 1 in 10 West Nile virus case is report and that the number of treated Lyme disease cases is possibly 10 times higher than the number reported to CDC.

Prevention:

Mosquitos are most commonly found near standing water, or in weedy or wooded areas.   They are usually most active during dawn and dusk in the warmer months.  The simplest way to prevent these illnesses is to prevent mosquito and tick bites through the use of insect repellent.

After coming inside from being outdoors check your body for ticks and remove an attached ticks as quickly as possible.

Treatment:

Although people may not become sick after a bite from an infected mosquito, some people have a mild, short-term illness or (rarely) severe or long-term illness. Severe cases of mosquito-borne diseases can cause death. 

Medical Evaluation:

If you become sick after a mosquito or tick bite and are concerned about the severity of your illness, please contact Health Services at 828.227.7460 to schedule an appointment with a medical provider.