January and February tend to be part of the peak season for colds, flu and other viruses. Take steps to protect yourself and others by following these strategies and prevent the spread of many types of viruses.


Preventing the Flu

  1. Get a flu vaccine: The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine can help protect you and others from the flu and serious complications. Flu vaccines are offered free to students, faculty and staff by appointment in the Ellington Center for Health and Wellness.

    To schedule an appointment, students should call Student Health Services at (336)-278-7230. Faculty and staff should call the Faculty/Staff Health and Wellness Clinic at (336) 278-5569.

  2. Practice healthy habits: To help reduce the spread of germs, you can:
    1. Stay home if you’re sick
    2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
    3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
    4. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
    5. Clean frequently touched surfaces
  3. Take antiviral drugs if prescribed
    1. If you have the flu and your doctor prescribes antiviral drugs, you can take them to help you feel better faster, shorten your illness, and prevent serious complications. Antiviral drugs are most effective when you start taking them early in your illness.
    2. If you have respiratory symptoms, you should stay home until your symptoms improve and you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours. You should also take extra precautions for the next five days, such as wearing a mask, practicing physical distancing, and taking steps to improve air quality and hygiene.

Covid-19 Protocols

In March 2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its guidance for respiratory viruses including its COVID-19 isolation protocols, responding to the changing threat of COVID-19.

  • Under the new CDC guidance, extended isolation following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis is no longer required. However, the university recommends following the CDC guidance that anyone who becomes sick with a respiratory virus, including COVID-19, remain at home until 24 hours after: 1) your symptoms are improving, with or without medication; and 2) you have not had a fever and are not using fever-reducing medication. Wear a mask around other until your symptoms have fully resolved. Read the complete CDC guidance for more about protecting yourself and others if you get sick.
  • In keeping with the CDC’s recommendations, the university will not require an extended period of isolation following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
  • Continued mitigation strategies to prevent the spread of viruses. Students, faculty and staff should follow measures to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses on campus. The university continues to encourage members of the university community to follow CDC guidance for staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Symptomatic testing for respiratory viruses will continue to be available on campus. Diagnostic testing for those with symptoms will continue to be available at Student Health Services and the Faculty/Staff Health & Wellness Clinic as part of regular appointments for those seeking evaluation for illness.
  • Sick Leave and Continuity of Work/Instruction policies are available on the Human Resources website. Staff may access available sick leave as indicated in the Staff Manual and the Continuity of Work/Instruction policies online here. Since the CDC is no longer requiring isolation following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, the application of these policies may be affected.

Elon will remain adaptive and responsive as conditions evolve. The university’s Infectious Disease Response Team meets regularly, monitoring campus conditions and working closely with local and state health officials to offer recommendations, as needed, to support the university community.

Sources of information

Additional consultation is available from the following sources:

For students:

For staff and faculty: