Sonoma State University

COVID-19

The Student Health Center (SHC) continues to evolve in response to the ever-changing public health landscape, and we have adopted new ways to support you. We want to help keep you healthy so you can focus on achieving your goals here at SSU.

If you suspect you have been exposed to COVID, or if you are developing symptoms that could be COVID, please review the sections below.  Feel free to call the Student Health Center at 707-664-2921 if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment with a provider.

 

If you have symptoms, please take a home test and call the Student Health Center at 707-664-2921 or your primary care provider to make an appointment for further advice. 

If you do not have symptoms, please take a home COVID antigen test 3-5 days from your exposure. You may schedule a test at the Student Health Center as well.

If the test is positive, but you have no symptoms, prevent the spread of COVID by wearing a well-fitting mask for 10 days when you are around others. A person can be contagious for 2 days BEFORE symptoms occur, so wear a mask to prevent getting other people sick. You can retest. If you have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart, you do not need to mask.

 

If you have severe symptoms, like trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, inability to stay awake, or inability to stand up or take care of your basic needs, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department

If you become sick with any combination of fever, chills, headache, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, sore throat, dry cough, body aches, nausea, diarrhea, or any other concerning symptoms, please call the Student Health Center at 707-664-2921 to make an appointment.  

Isolate to prevent spreading COVID. If you need to be around others, consider wearing a well-fitting face mask. You can end isolation when you are feeling better and you have not had a fever in 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

Excuse notes for classes/work/sports can be provided after seeing an SHC provider for an appointment. 

 

 

 

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, but the majority of people develop symptoms within 3-7 days from exposure (CDC).  

Symptoms include: 

  • Fever (>100.4F) or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache (new or unusual)
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.  Severe illness is more common in people with underlying health conditions, weakened immune systems, and in older adults. 

 

We recommend keeping the following items available throughout cold and flu season: 

  • Thermometer
  • Home COVID Antigen Test Kits
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Over the counter medications and supplies for cold and flu symptoms (ex, tylenol, ibuprofen, sinus rinse kit, etc).
  • Masks

If you have barriers to purchasing these items at the Student Health Center Pharmacy or local pharmacies (Target, etc), please reach out to the Student Health Center for assistance.

We also strongly recommend that you obtain health insurance to cover any medical care that cannot be provided by the Student Health Center. This includes care that is required after hours or for severe illness that necessitates ambulance transport, urgent care or emergency room treatment. 

 

 

Home antigen test kits may be purchased at local grocery stores, Target/Walmart, and local pharmacies while supplies last. You may also purchase home antigen test kits at the SHC Pharmacy as long as supplies last.  It is best to already have a test kit available at home if the need arises.

 

 

 

 

SSU and health experts strongly recommend students be vaccinated against COVID. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are no longer available at the Student Health Center, but are available at many local pharmacies or through your primary health care provider.

If you have additional questions, please call the Student Health Center at (707) 664-2921 for assistance.

 

Yes! Your student health fee covers all basic services at any CSU Student Health Center, not just SSU. If you have questions or concerns, and are far from campus, call the SSU Student Health Center at 707-664-2921 to schedule an appointment, and an initial visit will be conducted via phone or Zoom. If an SSU SHC provider feels that you need to be seen in person, they will discuss available resources in your area.