College sickness guide: when you can go back to class

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Short answer Pick your question How to use these guides When should I get help right away? Common questions Related questions Sources

Short answer

Most college illnesses are mild, and the key questions are when you can go back to class, how to avoid spreading it in a dorm, and when to get seen.

This guide links to a short, sourced answer for each common illness, from colds and flu to strep, mono, UTIs and concussion.

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Pick your question

Short, sourced answers to the questions students ask most about getting sick at college: when you can go back to class, what spreads in a dorm, what needs a clinician, and when to go to the ER.

Colds, flu and breathing

Throat, eyes and stomach

Mono

UTI and head injury

How to use these guides

Start with the short answer at the top of each page
Check the dorm and roommate section if you live with others
Use the exam and sports notes to ask for a makeup or a return plan
Skip straight to the urgent-care section if anything on the red-flag list matches

When should I get help right away?

Call 911 or go to the ER for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, a stiff neck with fever, fainting, a seizure, or severe belly pain. For anything else, student health is often the cheapest and fastest first stop.

Common questions

College sickness guide: when you can go back to class, what spreads and when to get help

Most college illnesses are mild, and the key questions are when you can go back to class, how to avoid spreading it in a dorm, and when to get seen. This guide links to a short, sourced answer for each common illness, from colds and flu to strep, mono, UTIs and concussion.

SourcesACHA National College Health Assessment CDC