College life can be exciting, but it also means spending a lot of time in close proximity to others. This increased exposure makes it easy for germs to spread, leading to the spread of illnesses like colds, flu, and norovirus. Staying healthy is crucial for your overall well-being. When you're healthy, you have more energy to focus on your studies, participate in extracurricular activities, and enjoy your social life. By taking simple steps to prevent illness, you can protect yourself and contribute to a healthier campus community. Below, you can find information about illness that is circulating on Grounds, how to stay protected, and what to do if you become sick.
current illnesses
Measles
The VDH is tracking measles in Virginia. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can result in severe complications. Maintaining high vaccination rates is essential to prevent outbreaks. If you are unaware of your vaccination status, check online via HealthyHoos or contact Student Health and Wellness Medical Records.
More information about measles is available:
- How to Stay Healthy
-
- Vaccinate: Ensure you've received two doses of the MMR vaccine. Verify your records on HealthyHoos. If you'd like to get vaccinated, make an appointment with SHW Medical Services.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid sharing personal items.
- Stay Informed & Seek Help: Keep up-to-date on measles information from reliable sources and contact a healthcare provider immediately if exposed or symptomatic.
- If You Get Sick
-
Contact a Healthcare Provider Immediately:
- Students should contact their doctor and call Student Health and Wellness if they're experiencing symptoms.
- It's essential to call ahead before going to a healthcare facility to inform them of the potential measles case. This allows them to take necessary precautions to prevent spreading the virus to others.
Isolate Yourself:
- Measles is highly contagious. Students should isolate themselves to prevent spreading the virus to others. This means staying home and avoiding contact with other people.
Cold, Flu, and Norovirus
Understanding the differences between colds, flu, and norovirus can help you take the necessary precautions to stay healthy.
- Colds, Flu, and Norovirus: These illnesses can all make you feel miserable, but they are different.
-
Colds and Flu: These are respiratory illnesses spread through coughing and sneezing.
-
Norovirus: This is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhea that is spread through contaminated surfaces and food.
- How to Stay Healthy
-
- Handwashing is key! Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- While hand sanitizer is usually a good quick option for keeping your hands germ-free, it is NOT very effective at killing norovirus, so it’s important to use soap and water to wash your hands for 20 seconds before eating or preparing food, after using the restroom, and anytime you have close physical contact with someone who is sick.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Get your flu shot! Flu shots are available at the Student Health and Wellness pharmacy and during your appointment with a medical provider at Student Health and Wellness.
- If You Get Sick
-
- Colds and Flu: Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms. If you have an underlying health condition that puts you at higher risk for severe illness (like asthma), consult with a provider at Student Health and Wellness.
- Norovirus: Rest, sip on fluids frequently, such as Gatorade or clear broths – avoid energy drinks, start with bland foods like toast and crackers when you can tolerate them. If you feel dehydrated, consult with a provider at Student Health and Wellness.
- Remember: Stay home when you are sick. You'll feel better faster, and you'll protect others from getting sick too.
Meningococcal Disease
March 2025: A student at UVA was diagnosed with meningococcal B disease. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Student Health and Wellness (SHW) lead the response and have identified close contacts. No additional cases have been identified, UVA is not experiencing an meningococcal disease outbreak.
What you need to know:
- Meningococcal disease is rare but serious.
- Symptoms include sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, and/or rash.
- If you experience symptoms, contact Student Health and Wellness (SHW) immediately.
Resources:
- VDH Website
- SHW Contact: (434) 924-5362, or 434-297-4261 after hours.
You can receive the meningococcal vaccines in most pharmacies, including UVA Health pharmacies. The pharmacy in Student Health and Wellness has the MenB and MenACWY vaccines available. If you are having difficulty making an appointment, email [email protected].
Meningococcal Disease FAQs
- I received an email about a meningococcal disease case at UVA. Does this mean I'm a close contact?
-
Not necessarily. An email was sent to all students on Sunday, March 2nd 2025 to raise awareness about the situation and provide important information about meningococcal disease. Close contacts of the infected individual are being contacted separately via phone from SHW with further instructions.
- How do I know if I am a close contact?
-
The Blue Ridge Health Department is considering close contacts to be students who encountered the index student on or after February 17th, 2025. This includes students who had intimate contact with the patient's oral secretions through such activities as kissing or sharing of food, drink, utensils, cups or bottles, cigarettes/vapes, lip gloss or lip balm. Other close contacts can include: household members/roommates, shared overnight sleeping spaces, and prolonged close contact in confined small spaces such as carpooling.
- I was exposed to someone who is a close contact. Does that make me a close contact?
-
No.
- How serious is meningococcal disease?
-
Meningococcal disease is rare but can lead to serious illness. It can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person's secretions.
- What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?
-
The symptoms depend on where the infection is located. Meningococcal meningitis is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, and vomiting. A less common but more severe form of meningococcal disease is meningococcal septicemia. The symptoms of meningococcal septicemia include fatigue, fever, chills, severe pain in the muscles, joints, chest or abdomen (belly), rapid breathing, diarrhea, and a dark purple rash.
- How is meningococcal disease spread?
-
Meningococcal disease is transmitted through close contact with an infected person’s oral secretions. Avoid sharing personal items (such as vapes, toothbrushes, drinking glasses, etc.), and practice good hand hygiene.
- Is meningococcal disease treatable?
-
Yes, meningococcal disease is treatable with antibiotics. Early detection and treatment are crucial.
- If I've been exposed, does that mean I will get sick?
-
Some people exposed to the bacteria do not develop symptoms. Symptoms commonly develop three to four days after a person is exposed, but onset can range from one to ten days. Contacts of people with meningococcal disease should be tested if they develop symptoms. Preventative antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the risk of infection for those known to be exposed.
- What strain or serotype is causing this illness?
-
Testing has confirmed that the illness is caused by meningococcal disease serogroup B.
- How can I prevent the spread of meningococcal disease?
-
Vaccines are available for the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccinations is the best defense against the disease. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about meningococcal vaccines. Preventive treatment with antibiotics for household members, roommates, or anyone with direct contact to the saliva or spit from someone sick with meningococcal disease can reduce the risk of infection. Good hygiene can reduce the risk of infection as well, such as hand washing, covering noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing, and not sharing cigarettes, vapes, lipstick, straws, cups, drinking glasses, toothbrushes, or eating utensils.
- How can I check my vaccination status?
-
Students can log into HealthyHoos portal and click the immunizations tab to check their vaccination status. Having problems? Reach out to Student Health and Wellness Medical Records at [email protected] or (434) 924-1525.
- Should I be vaccinated against meningococcal disease?
-
Now is a good time to assess your vaccination status. While there is no emergency in getting vaccinated, please consider doing so if you are not up to date. Vaccines are available for the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccinations is the best defense against the disease.
If our community were to experience an outbreak, we would follow public health recommendations for any changes to the normal vaccine schedule.
There are two main types of meningococcal vaccines:
Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about meningococcal vaccines and which ones are right for you. - Where can I get vaccinated?
-
You can receive the meningococcal vaccines in most pharmacies, including UVA Health pharmacies. The pharmacy in Student Health and Wellness has the MenB vaccine.
If you are having difficulty making an appointment, email [email protected]
We will continue to monitor availability locally, and may conduct another vaccine clinic on grounds.
- What are the side effects of the vaccine?
-
Up to about half of people who get MenACWY vaccines have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot was given. These symptoms usually last for one or two days. A small percentage of people who receive the vaccine develop a fever. Severe reactions, such as a serious allergic reaction, are very rare.
in the media
Virginia Health Officials Confirm Second 2025 Measles Case in the State
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting the state’s second measles case of the year. The patient is a teenager (13-17 years) in the Northwest Region who recently traveled internationally. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed. Read More
University sees rise in flu and norovirus since start of semester
In the last month, there has been a rise in flu, norovirus and other respiratory illnesses within the University community, according to Student Health and Wellness and the U.Va. Health University Medical Center. They have reported an influx of influenza-like illness in the last several weeks and a rise in the number of cases from the same time last year. read more
“Robust” Numbers of Respiratory Illnesses in UVA Community
The Cavalier Daily is reporting this morning a rise in norovirus, flu, and other respiratory illnesses within the University community. The publication reports both student health and the University Medical Center is seeing upticks in influenza-like illness the last several weeks and a rise over the same period last year. In the article, student health director of medical services Dr. Jessica Simmons says severity of cases is similar to past years, but a robust number in January is notable. Read more