COVID-19 Respiratory Illness Information
If you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results, you should not attend class, work, or other activities involving exposure to others.
Seeking Medical Testing
Campus Health offers COVID-19 testing to UNC students, post-docs, eligible partners, and spouses who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Testing is recommended for those who have COVID-19 symptoms and should happen as soon as symptoms arise.
- Self-test with a rapid antigen test: Antigen tests are rapid tests that produce results in 10 - 15 minutes. Positive results are very accurate and reliable. Available for purchase at the Healthy Heels Shoppe, Student Stores Pharmacy, and the Healthy Heels 2 Go vending machines.
- Medical evaluation and PCR testing is offered at Campus Health. Call or schedule an appointment online. Time to receive PCR lab results can vary. While awaiting results, you should limit your activities and follow the recommendations of your provider.
COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC
Self-Testing At Home or Anywhere | CDC
If your test result is positive - isolate
Students who test positive should isolate and follow CDC guidelines until they meet the criteria for ending isolation.
- End isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving.
- Take precautions until day 10 - including wearing a well-fitted mask any time you're around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask. Avoid travel and avoid being around people who are high risk.
- Students who participate in educational experiences off-site (especially health professions students, but also student teachers, interns, etc.) should communicate with off-site coordinators regarding return to these clinical or practicum experiences. You may be subject to more stringent guidelines in these settings.
- For those students having symptoms, there is no need to repeat tests if you receive a positive result.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered, further COVID-19 tests may still show a positive. Testing within 90 days after a positive test is not recommended as patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA for up to 3 months after illness onset. However, they are not likely infectious. Within this 90-day period and beyond, if you develop symptoms again, you should contact your medical provider.
Communicating with instructors
Communicate with your instructors when you will be unable to attend class. Most instructors are providing instructional options for students who need to miss class. You do not have to disclose your personal health information.
UNC-Chapel Hill has a University Approved Absence policy; viral illnesses like COVID-19 generally do not qualify unless the illness is significant and lasts longer than 5 consecutive days. For situations when class absence is not approved such as illnesses like COVID-19, instructors are encouraged to work directly with students to determine the best approach to missed classes and make-up assignments. Learn more about the University Approved Absence policy.
If your test result is negative
A negative test result indicates your status at the moment of the test and does not mean that you will remain negative after the test.
Even if you have a negative test result, be mindful about:
- staying physically distanced
- avoiding crowds and indoor crowded places
- washing your hands frequently
- monitoring for symptoms
If you are feeling sick, and feel you need further evaluation it is recommended that you schedule an appointment to be seen by a provider to consider other respiratory illnesses such as influenza.
Close Contact Guidance
If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 or believe you are a close contact of someone who is positive, you should follow the CDC exposure calculator.
COVID-19 Vaccination
COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at preventing serious illness and hospitalization. Campus Health will provide COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and additional boosters as indicated at Student Stores Pharmacy and Campus Health Pharmacy to patrons age 12 and over. The clinic has access to vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.
Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters by following CDC guidance.
Come in for a vaccine or booster at your convenience Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at Student Stores Pharmacy on the top floor of UNC Student Stores or Campus Health Pharmacy in the basement of Campus Health. No appointment is necessary.
Plan for your visit to take up to 45 minutes. You will need to remain on-site for the entirety of your visit including an observation period. Due to volume, the wait time may vary and facility hours may require you to visit another day.
Bring your insurance card. Individual coverage will vary.
Please reach out to Campus Health Immunization Staff at [email protected] if you have questions.