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Respiratory Illness Information

Respiratory Viruses & Public Health Preparedness at UM-Flint

UM-Flint continues to monitor and engage with our institutional and community public health partners regarding respiratory viruses, including influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and other community health-related issues. The university encourages all faculty, staff and students to remain informed and mindful of keeping our campus community healthy and safe. 

Vaccinations

UM-Flint strongly encourages but does not require that members of its campus community receive the updated COVID-19 vaccination for the Fall/Winter virus season. The CDC’s current recommendation can be read and downloaded here. 

Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations may be required for specific faculty, staff and students by their school, college, unit or third-party partners. Vaccination requirements are more typical for those in the health sciences due to instruction taking place in health care or clinical settings. Questions regarding specific academic program requirements or requirements associated with clinical placements and internships should be directed to the appropriate academic department.

Visit the CDC, MDHHS, or GCHD CHD websites to learn more about the benefits of vaccination and boosters. Consult your primary care physician about your specific situation.

Other Immunizations to Consider

Other safe and protective vaccines are available and recommended by public health agencies as well, including:

  • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
  • Meningococcal A (MenACWY) vaccine
  • Polio vaccine
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
  • Chickenpox/varicella vaccine
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
  • Influenza (Flu)
  • Hepatitis A & B

The CDC offers immunization guidance for respiratory illness to keep individuals and communities safe. Consult your primary care physician about your specific situation.

Finding COVID-19 Vaccination Providers Near You

  • Michigan – MDHHS COVID-19 vaccine resources and related links are available here.
  • If you live outside of Michigan, visit Vaccines.gov to find vaccination providers near you. 

Have you lost your Michigan vaccination card? You can access your vaccine records at MCIR.org.

Masking

  • Masks continue to be an effective measure for personal protection against the spread of respiratory viruses like the flu, COVID-19, RSV and others, especially for individuals with a compromised immune status, those who are not up-to-date on their vaccinations, or who have an increased risk of becoming ill. 
  • Wearing a mask is optional in all areas of the Flint campus, including instructional settings. ​However, the CDC recommends masking while around others following a respiratory illness to reduce the spread of illness to others. 
  • Masks are available at the following building entrances: French Hall (Theater lobby), Murchie Science Building (northeast entrance), Riverfront Residence Hall, First Street Residence Hall, Northbank Center 4th floor, William S. White Building, University Center (lobby by Kiva), Thompson Library (3rd floor, between elevator & Library entrance), and the University Pavilion (second floor). 
  • KN95 face masks are available at Environment, Health & Safety (Northbank Center, Suite 801), Facilities and Operations (Hubbard Building), the Office of the Dean of Students (361 UCEN), and the circulation desk at the Thompson Library.

Testing

People with symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested using a rapid antigen test at home, through their primary care physician, or a community testing resource.

Please follow the steps below if you tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been exposed to a person who tested positive. 

Care and Isolation

If you have respiratory illness symptoms (fever, chills, coughing, sore throat, etc.), stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and you have been fever-free (without using fever-reducing medication) for at least 24 hours. Seek medical attention if needed.

You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true:

  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

When you go back to your normal activities, take added precautions for five days, such as taking steps for cleaner air, practicing good hygiene, using masks and/or physical distancing while around other people indoors.

  • Although you are likely to be less contagious after recovering, even if you are feeling better, you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick. 

If you develop a fever or start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, you should once again remain at home and away from others – for at least 24 hours – until both of the following are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever and are not using fever-reducing medication. Then, take the added precautions listed above for the next five days.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The CDC offers separate, specific guidance for health care settings (COVID-19, flu, and general infection prevention and control). The U-M Occupational Health website outlines additional requirements for those working in clinical settings (e.g., Michigan Medicine). These additional isolation/testing requirements could also apply to faculty, students and others in clinical settings. Check with your clinical/academic program director for specific considerations/guidance.

No Symptoms but Tested Positive for a Respiratory Virus

You may be contagious if you never had symptoms but tested positive for a respiratory virus. For the next five days: take added precautions, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. This is especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses. 

Resource Information

Partners in Public Health Monitoring

EHS, in conjunction with other public health partners, monitors respiratory illness and infectious disease prevention in our communities. Collectively, we monitor and propose infectious hazard guidance and policy recommendations while also providing consultation for individual units based on specific scenarios and operational needs.

If needed, EHS will establish a Public Health Response Team to assist in coordinating with campus leadership a campus response to a public health-related incident or emerging situation.

Contact EHS by email at [email protected] or by calling 810-766-6763.

CARES Act