Communicable Disease Resources
Communicable Diseases Overview
UW-Whitewater recognizes that certain communicable diseases have serious implications on the health and safety of a university community. It is important that all students, faculty, staff and community members work together to reduce the spread of infectious diseases by engaging in prevention, intervention and collaborative partnerships. The university monitors health data from our campus and region and consults with our local health departments in order to be prepared for any communicable disease that may impact our campus.
Communicable diseases are illnesses that spread from one person to another or from an animal to a person. It is important to remember that students living in residence halls may become sick with a variety of contagious illnesses but they usually can remain in shared rooms/suites with their roommates while recovering (just as our off-campus students do). Some of the ways these illnesses may spread are through:
- Direct contact with a sick person
- Breathing in airborne viruses or bacteria
- Contact with blood or other body fluids
- Contact with a contaminated surface or object
- Bites from insects or animals that can transmit disease
ACTION STEPS for STUDENTS WHO MAY BE ILL
- If you are too ill to attend class or other responsibilities, contact the instructor, supervisor or coach as soon as you are aware – this is your responsibility.
- If you stay in any of the Halls, you can arrange for a sick meal kit
- If you need to see a provider due to worsening symptoms, contact UHCS at 262-472-1300 for an appointment or schedule online. Calling in the morning is best if you want to get in the same day. UHCS is not an Urgent Care Clinic, but our website tells you where you can access urgent or emergent care.
INFORMATION FOR SPECIFIC COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
COVID-19
* https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
*As of August 2022, according to guidance from the CDC, reporting of positive COVID-19 cases by students or employees is no longer required by UWW.
*Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to have over-the-counter tests on hand in case you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
*Testing at UHCS is only available for students who require a visit with a provider for their illness.
*If you test positive for COVID-19:
- Visit CDC quarantine/isolation calculator to determine your next steps
- It is your responsibility to communicate with all relevant individuals, including instructors, supervisors or coaches
- Wear a mask as outlined in the CDC Isolation & Exposure Calculator (usually for an additional 5 days after your isolation period ends)
- If you share a room with someone, you can isolate-in-place - you do not need to leave campus. But be sure to:
- Wear a mask around each other (except when sleeping)
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (tables, light switches, door knobs, faucet, phones, etc)
- Do not share hand towels and washcloths
- Do not share utensils or drinking cups
- Do not invite guests into your room until the isolation period has ended
- WASH YOUR HANDS
*If you are a roommate of someone who tested positive, you may still go to class, but you will need to wear a mask and test at Day 5 to determine if you are positive. You can use the CDC Isolation & Exposure Calculator for next steps
VACCINES – UWW does not mandate that students, staff, or faculty are vaccinated for COVID-19. Ambrose Health Center does not carry any COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccines.gov will tell you where you can go if you are interested in being vaccinated.
MASKS - Ambrose Health Center does have cloth masks available to you at no charge if you should need some.
HOME TESTS - you can order 4 free covid tests at covidtests.gov (one free package per household so if you live with many people at same address, be sure to put “room A” and so on...); Or if you are feeling ill, you can pick up 2 free tests at UHCS during business hours.
INFLUENZA
* https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
*Ambrose Health Center holds free flu shot clinics for students on the UWW campus during fall semester. Or students can call 262-472-1300 to make an appointment for the flu vaccine.
*Ambrose Health Center can test for influenza if needed (cost is $5)
*How can you protect yourself:
- Get your annual flu shot
- WASH YOUR HANDS
MENINGITIS
* https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/
* https://www.uww.edu/uhcs/health-services/notice-of-meningitis-and-hep-b
*How can you protect yourself:
- Get vaccinated against both A/C/W/Y and B (different vaccines)
HEPATITIS
* https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/index.htm
*https://www.uww.edu/uhcs/health-services/notice-of-meningitis-and-hep-b
*How can you protect yourself:
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis (A and B)
MUMPS
*https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/
*How can you protect yourself:
- Get vaccinated against measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
MONONUCLEOSIS (mono)
*https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/
*Ambrose Health Center is able to perform the blood test for mono (cost is $10)
NOROVIRUS
* https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/norovirus/
*How can you protect yourself:
- WASH YOUR HANDS with soap & water (hand sanitizer does not work) after going to the bathroom
- Clean and sanitize surfaces and utensils used in preparing food
- Do not prepare food for others if sick
UPPER RESPIRATORY ILLNESS (common cold)
*Common cold is viral, not bacterial, so antibiotics will not work
*How can you protect yourself:
- WASH YOUR HANDS
- Maintain a strong immune system with getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, eating healthy and attempting to decrease stress