COVID 19 Close Contact Instructions

COVID-19 is spread mainly by air droplets. If you have provided care for a Covid 19 positive person, been closer than 6 feet, more than 15 minutes (in a 24 hour period), had direct secretions contact(sneezed/coughed on, shared utensils, kissing), you are a Close Contact. .  Please mask (cover nose and mouth), social distance and call SHC Annex at  757-278-4129 to find out when you need to test based on vaccine and symptom status. As medical providers we strive to provide the best medical care in a university setting. CDC guidance for IHE(Institutions of Higher Education) may change as the pandemic evolves and variants change. Please see recent updated CDC and VDH Quarantine guidelines which may or may not fully apply to student health needs.

Information/Instructions For Covid-19 Positives

If you were diagnosed with Covid-19 infection, you need to isolate (if a residential student there is a designated location on campus). Current CDC and VDH guidelines are changing as new variants occur. As medical providers we strive to provide the best medical care in a university setting. CDC guidance for IHE(Institutions of Higher Education) may change as the pandemic evolves and variants change. Please see recent updated CDC and VDH Quarantine guidelines which may or may not fully apply to student health needs.

Diagnosis can be made by positive tests or by clinical symptoms along with exposure risk. This viral illness can cause fever, headache, cough and trouble breathing, chills, muscle aches, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, upset stomach or loose stool, loss of taste or smell. Vaccination and booster shots greatly reduce your risk of having Covid19 symptoms, getting severe illness/death or spreading virus.

If you test positive at the SHC Annex or from surveillance testing medical staff will send a request for medical services to Housing Cares and the Dean of Student’s offices. If you live on campus and obtain a positive test from self-testing or an off campus test- please contact 1. SHC Annex 757-278-4129. 2. Dean of Students office 757-823-2152 and 3. Housing 757-823-8407. If you live off campus, please contact Dean of Students office 757-823-2152. If you have no medical provider – call SHC Annex. Please seek medical attention right away at 911 or NSU police 757-823-9000 if you have difficulty breathing, chest pains, confusion, severe weakness or persistent high fever >101 not responding to antipyretics.

Flu-like Syndrome Protocol

Any student exhibiting flu-like symptoms should call the Annex 757-278-4129 right away to schedule an appointment (Telehealth visit may be appropriate for classic symptoms and no underlying medical conditions).  

GET VACCINATED YEARLY, STAY HOME IF SICK, WEAR A MASK, GOOD HANDWASHING, SOCIAL DISTANCING

Because some flu (influenza) and Covid-19 symptoms can be similar, it is important to get tested to help with diagnosis and reduce spread on campus.  

Flu season is mainly October to April in the US. The flu virus may change yearly- so vaccines are needed each flu season. It is safe to get your flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine at the same time.

Flu may be less easily spread than Covid-19 but has a quicker time of symptom onset after exposure to someone with flu. Flu has a shorter incubation time of 1-4 days after exposure compared with Covid-19 incubation time of 2-14 days after exposure. 

Flu symptom onset is usually rapid (go to bed fine and wake up ill). Fever, body aches, chills, headache, runny/stuffy nose, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea are common. Fever usually stops in 3-4 days and risk of spreading to others is rapidly decreased after 3 days.  Fatigue may last 7-10 days. Fever should be gone before return to routine activity. 

There are several oral medications which if taken within 24-48 hours of symptom onset can reduce severity of illness and shedding of virus. Current oral prescription medications are oseltamivir (generic Tamiflu), Xofluza, Relenza and Rapivab is an intravenous medication. Your medical provider will determine if an antiviral medication is appropriate for you based on severity of illness, timing of symptom onset and your chronic health conditions. Mild cases can often be treated with over-the-counter analgesics and cold/flu medications.

Students with severe illness, signs of complications may be referred to an Urgent Care center or the emergency room.

If you are a commuter or live locally, you may choose to see your primary care provider/physician (PCP). Please make sure you obtain a medical excuse from your PCP to present to the Dean of Students Office to cover any missed classes/activities. 

CDC Influenza (Flu)

Suggested College First Aid Items

Be prepared for minor health illnesses and emergencies by packing a supply of over the counter medicines (otc) and first aid items that can be safely used. Check with your doctor if you have a chronic health condition and/or are on prescription medicines. Buy generic products for best cost savings.

Health History and Immunizations Requirements

Norfolk State University complies with the code of Virginia (23.1-800,please review at link below) which requires all new and transfer full-time students to provide documentation of health history and immunizations.

23.1-800 Health histories and immunizations required; exemptions

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title23.1/chapter8/section23.1-800/#:~:text=No%20full%2Dtime,a%20comprehensive%20list

Covid19 and flu vaccines are highly recommended for all students, staff, faculty in order to improve campus safety and reduce respiratory illnesses. Mild “flu-like” symptoms may occur for several days after vaccination which indicates your immune system is making antibodies to protect you (No Covid19 or influenza infection occurs from non-live virus shots).

Check with your High School nurse’s office, your local health department, your doctor’s office or your parents for your records. Records can be faxed, mailed or brought to the office. To protect your medical privacy-no Emails, please.

Sports Physical

Please have these additional forms completed if you plan to play any sports or participate in band or cheerleading.

Student Medical Excuse Letter Policy

As of December 11, 2017 Spartan Health Center will not issue a medical excuse letter for missed academic classes or events or work that occur PRIOR to the date that you are seen in the office. Medical providers will determine if there is a medical necessity to be excused from future activity based on severity of illness. In order to maintain the integrity of the system you must be seen by coming to the clinic Monday through Friday during Walk In hours 8 am to 10 am or schedule an appointment by phone, in the office or by appointment request through the SHC website. Appointment requests through the SHC website can be submitted at any time; staff check the website regularly throughout the workday.

Please DO NOT use email to request appointments or to convey medical information due to confidentiality concerns. Please inform staff at 278-3360 if you encounter any problem utilizing the SHC website appointment request. Any and all notes documenting date of your medical visit must be submitted to the Dean’s office as per NSU Student Handbook instructions.

Health Insurance

Due to the high cost of health care, it is strongly recommended that all students be covered by some form of health insurance. This may be as a dependent on a family plan or by purchasing health insurance coverage independent of the University. Here is a link for Virginia residents without health insurance to check for eligibility for health insurance plans  https://coverva.org/en

The University does not offer an Accident Medical Expense Benefit Plan or a Sickness Medical Expense Benefit Plan for Domestic Students.

International Students are required to enroll into the International Students Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan at the time of registration -please check with O.A.S.I.S office 757-823-8325