Campus Guidance for Infectious Respiratory Viruses

FSU continues to coordinate infectious disease management response plans with expert medical advisers and the local health department. Information provided on this page includes campus guidance for infectious respiratory viruses.

Testing & Treatment

Students experiencing symptoms related to an infectious respiratory virus, such as COVID, RSV, or influenza can schedule an appointment with the Student Health Center for evaluation, testing, and treatment. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 301-687-4310 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday between 9:00am and 4:00pm). The Student Health Center is located on the ground floor of the Education & Health Sciences Building, Suite 118.

Students Testing Positive for an Infectious Respiratory Virus

Students should follow the Absences for Health Issues, Bereavement and Other Emergencies policy as outlined in the Academic Catalog. Positive tests for respiratory viruses may come from the Student Health Center, home tests, or external providers. This policy requires you to notify your professors directly of your illness and need for isolation. Students will need to negotiate their absence directly with each professor and make arrangements regarding class attendance, assignments, and tests. Based on the updated isolation recommendations from the CDC, the Student Health Center or Student Affairs cannot predict the term of each students isolation. Therefore, students are responsible for making notifications and negotiating the absence. Notifications for absences for respiratory viruses or other infections with variable return-to-class isolation periods will no longer be made by Student Affairs. Notifications for other medical conditions, such as surgeries or long-term illnesses, will continue to be made by Student Affairs with accompanied medical documentation provided by the student or family member.  

The current updated isolation guidance from the CDC for respiratory viruses as of March 1, 2024, includes: if you are sick with symptoms from the virus, you should isolate until your symptoms are improving and are fever-free for 24-hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. You should wear a mask around others for an additional five days when returning to normal activities.

Guidance for Residential Students Isolating in Their Rooms

• Remain in your room as much as possible with no visitors.
• If you have a roommate, notify them, and wear a well-fitted mask when you are both in the room.
• A mask should be worn at all times except when eating, sleeping, showering, and brushing teeth.
• Students may leave their room to use the bathroom, pick up food, attend a medical appointment, go outside for fresh air, pick up deliveries, or in the event of an emergency. Please always wear a mask.
• On-campus students must use the Chesapeake-to-Go meal ordering service that can be picked up upon request in the lobby of the Chesapeake Dining Hall.
• During your isolation period, students are not permitted to attend class, utilize common areas, or attend functions.
• If you experience a medical or other emergency, call University Police at 301-687-4222 or 911 for assistance. Non-emergency medical calls can be directed to the Student Health Center at 301-687-4310 during normal business hours.

If Your Roomate Tests Positive for a Respiratory Virus

• You are allowed to be on campus and do not need to quarantine.
• If you do not have a mask, you can obtain one at the Student Health Center or the Lane Center Information desk.
• It is highly recommended that you wear a well-fitted mask while in the room with your roommate during their isolation period.
• If you experience respiratory symptoms, you should test as soon as possible through the Student Health Center, self-test, or external provider.

Faculty & Staff Who Have an Infectious Respiratory Virus

Faculty and staff are expected to follow the current isolation guidance from the CDC. If positive for a respiratory virus, employees should notify their direct supervisor of their illness and necessity for isolation. The direct supervisor may notify the Benefits Manager in the Office of Human Resources if necessary and appropriate.