University of Arkansas - Fort SmithRespiratory Illness FAQs

Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache. Students can also contact the UAFS Powell Student Health Clinic, a free health and wellness resource for eligible students, at 479-788-7444or StudentHealth@uafs.edu.

Yes.  U.S. households will be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov.These tests will be available at the end of September. The COVID-19 Tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year.

View CDC Covid Test website 

You can go back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true:

• Your symptoms are better overall, and
  
  
• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). 

Yes. You should take added precautions over the next five (5) days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. 

• Remember that even if you are feeling better, you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick. Depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were, you are likely to be less contagious at this time. 
  
  
• If you develop a fever or begin to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then, take added precautions for the next five (5) days. 

You may be contagious. For the next five (5) days, take added precautions such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.  

Yes, the UAFS Powell Student Health Clinic will provide services, but students should first make an appointment by contacting the clinic at 479-788-7444 or StudentHealth@UAFS.edu. 

The Health Clinic can also provide essential wellness services over the phone at 479-788-7444. 

Yes. According to the CDC, we now have more capacity to help prevent people from becoming severely ill from the flu, COVID-19, and RSV. These include:

• Safe, updated immunizations - For the first time, immunizations are available for all three major fall and winter respiratory diseases - flu, COVID-19, and RSV (for groups eligible for RSV immunization)
• Widely available, effective treatments - Treatments are available for flu and COVID-19 and can reduce severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
• Testing - Tests, some of which can be used at home, can quickly detect these respiratory viruses so patients don't delay treatment and other actions that can protect their family, friends, and coworkers. 
  
  
• Common-sense measures - Other tools like masking, physical distancing, washing hands, and improving airflow in the places where people live and work can provide an additional layer of protection. 
  
  

View the CDC Respiratory Illness Resource List