FAQ
Review the questions below for some of the most common questions regarding emerging public health concerns. All answers are dated for clarity.
Most respiratory infections last 1-2 weeks, but some infections, like bronchitis (chest cold) can last 3 weeks or longer. Get plenty of rest, drink fluids and take medication for pain from headache, body aches, or sore throat. Learn more.
There are several situations in which you should seek medical care including a very sore throat that is not improving after 3 days or a sore throat and fever without other cold symptoms, painful breathing, wheezing, or any shortness of breath, cough that is persisting beyond 2-3 weeks without improvement or high fever for more than 2-4 days. Learn more.
The common cold is one of the most frequent illnesses in the United States, and usually occurs in the winter and spring months. The common cold is caused by viruses and is transmitted from person-to-person from hands contaminated with nasal secretions.
Seasonal allergies usually present with an acute onset of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, nasal itching, postnasal drip, cough, irritability, and fatigue which is reproducible from year-to-year.
Masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. Although masking is not required, members of the UC community who prefer to wear a mask for personal safety should do so.
According to the CDC, loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection, layered finely woven products offer more protection, well-fitting disposable surgical masks and KN95s offer even more protection, and well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators (including N95s) offer the highest level of protection.