Part of responsible community living includes taking care of yourself and helping those around you stay healthy.
When to Seek Care
If you have flu-like symptoms (such as fever, aches, coughing, sore throat, diarrhea or vomiting), seek medical attention within 24 to 48 hours of the first sign of symptoms. Early evaluation matters: antiviral medications for influenza work best when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
When the Student Health Center is Closed
Every Jewell student has access to free, 24-hour telehealth services through the Cardinal Care Hub. This means you can connect with a licensed provider any time of day or night — including nights, weekends, and holidays when the Health Center is closed. A telehealth provider can evaluate flu-like symptoms, offer guidance on self-care, and, when appropriate, diagnose and prescribe treatment without an in-person visit. This is often the fastest and most convenient way to be seen when symptoms first appear.
If you prefer or need to be seen in person outside Health Center hours, several local urgent care clinics offer evening and weekend hours.
Masking at the Health Center
When seeking treatment at the Health Center for flu-like symptoms, you will be asked to wear a mask. If you don’t have one, we will provide a mask when you arrive.
Returning to Class and Activities
If you test positive for seasonal flu or have another contagious condition, take care of yourself and help protect the Jewell community from infection. Following current CDC guidance, you may return to normal activities once both of the following are true for at least 24 hours:
- Your symptoms have been improving overall, and
- You have been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication.
For the five days after you resume normal activities, take added precautions — wear a well-fitting mask around others, keep your distance when you can, and practice good hand hygiene — to lower the chance of spreading illness.
Everyday Prevention (CDC guidelines)
During flu season and year-round, we ask everyone in our campus community to follow these steps from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away after using it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing and before and after eating. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective and are available near campus restrooms and in high-traffic areas.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to help prevent the spread of germs.
- Take steps for cleaner air when possible, such as opening windows to bring in fresh air.
- If you get sick, stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Questions? Contact the Student Health Center at healthcenter@william.jewell.edu. For after-hours concerns, use the Cardinal Care Hub 24-hour telehealth service or a local urgent care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
