COVID-19

 Antibiotics will not treat the COVID-19 virus. 

Because COVID-19 is a virus, antibiotics cannot be used to treat it. If you have COVID-19 and are more likely to get very sick, medications are available that can reduce your risk of hospitalization and death. Treatments must be started within five to seven days after you first develop symptoms to be effective. It is better to try to prevent COVID altogether by getting vaccinated. 

 Can I get the flu and COVID vaccines at the same time? 

Yes, it is safe to get a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. 

 COVID vaccines can protect you and others. 

COVID vaccines can help prevent you and those around you from getting COVID. They can also reduce your chances of severe complications, hospitalization and death from a COVID infection. The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected against COVID. 

 COVID vaccines don’t guarantee you won’t get COVID. 

COVID vaccines are based on the currently circulating strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. Because viruses are constantly changing, including the virus that causes COVID-19, it is not guaranteed that your vaccine will completely prevent infection, but the vaccine will decrease your chances of getting very sick, being hospitalized or dying. Maintaining good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick people and covering your sneezes and coughs can all help prevent infection. 

 COVID spreads through droplets and aerosols. 

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person coughs or breathes out droplets and very small particles (aerosols) that contain the virus. Other people can breathe in these droplets and particles, or these droplets and particles can land on others' eyes, nose or mouth. In some circumstances, these droplets may contaminate the surfaces they touch. Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do not have symptoms.  

 Who should get vaccinated? 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 6 months and older should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from severe disease, hospitalization and death. It is especially important to get your updated COVID-19 vaccine if you are ages 65 and older, are at high risk for severe COVID-19 or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine protection decreases over time, so it is important to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine. 

 When should I test for COVID? 

COVID testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading the virus to others. On-campus testing is open to all CU Boulder undergraduate students and graduate students through Wardenburg. Asymptomatic faculty and staff may be eligible for on-campus testing based on certain criteria. Symptomatic faculty and staff are not eligible to be seen at Wardenburg and should schedule an appointment with their personal medical provider. 

 What are the common types of COVID tests? 

Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are more likely to detect the virus than antigen tests. NAATs are the “gold standard” for COVID-19 tests. Antigen tests (e.g., home test kits) are rapid tests that usually produce results in 15-30 minutes. Positive antigen test results are accurate and reliable, but they are less likely to detect the virus than NAAT tests, especially when symptoms are not present. Therefore, a single negative antigen test cannot rule out infection. To be confident you do not have COVID-19, FDA recommends two negative antigen tests for individuals with symptoms performed 48 hours apart. Additional information from the CDC on testing can be found at Testing for COVID-19. At-home antigen test kits are available for purchase in the Apothecary. 

 When can I return to school or work after a COVID-19 infection? 

Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have COVID-19. You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true: 1) Your symptoms are getting better overall; and 2) You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). When you go back to your normal activities, take added precautions over the next five days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. This is especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses. The CDC provides additional information on Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You're Sick.