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Short answer The 24-hour fever rule Why you should stay home even if you want to power through Dorm life with the flu Should I get antiviral medicine? What about exams, sports and work? When should I go to urgent care or the ER? Common questions from students Common questions Related questions SourcesGo back to class once you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without taking Tylenol or ibuprofen, and your symptoms are getting better.
You can still spread the flu a bit after that, so cover coughs, wash hands and consider a mask for a few more days.
The 24-hour fever rule
The CDC advises staying home until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using a fever-reducing medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Fever means 100 F or higher. Counting starts after your temperature is normal on its own, not after a dose brings it down.
Why you should stay home even if you want to power through
The flu is most contagious in the first 3 to 4 days of illness, and many adults can spread it from about a day before symptoms start to about 5 to 7 days after. A lecture hall or crowded dining hall is an easy place to pass it on. You will also recover faster if you rest.
Dorm life with the flu
- Stay in your room as much as you can, and ask a friend to bring food
- Wear a mask in shared hallways and bathrooms
- Keep your own cups and utensils
- Open a window if you can, to move air
- Wipe shared surfaces like door handles and the microwave
Should I get antiviral medicine?
Antivirals like oseltamivir work best when started in the first 48 hours of symptoms. They are most important for people at higher risk of complications, such as asthma, diabetes or pregnancy. Student health can decide if one makes sense for you.
What about exams, sports and work?
- Email professors early and ask about a makeup exam or extension
- Return to sports slowly, because energy and breathing can lag behind the fever
- Ask your employer or supervisor about their own return policy
When should I go to urgent care or the ER?
Trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, a stiff neck with fever, or being unable to keep fluids down are reasons to go to urgent care or the ER, or call 911. A fever that comes back after improving, or a cough that suddenly gets worse, can mean pneumonia and needs a visit.
If you are not sure what you have, our AI doctor asks a few questions and sends you a care note you can bring to student health.
Common questions from students
How long does the flu last? Most people feel better in about 5 to 7 days, but cough and tiredness can hang on for a couple of weeks.
Can I still spread the flu after I feel better? Yes, a little. Many people still shed virus for a few days after improving.
What if I take Tylenol and my fever drops? That does not count. Wait 24 hours with a normal temperature and no fever medicine.
Is it the flu or a cold? The flu usually hits fast, with fever, body aches and fatigue. See flu vs cold.
Does the flu shot still matter? Yes. It can lower the chance of severe illness. See can the flu shot give you the flu.
Common questions
When can I go back to class after the flu?
Go back to class once you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without taking Tylenol or ibuprofen, and your symptoms are getting better. You can still spread the flu a bit after that, so cover coughs, wash hands and consider a mask for a few more days.
How long does the flu last?
Most people feel better in about 5 to 7 days, but cough and tiredness can hang on for a couple of weeks.
Can I still spread the flu after I feel better?
Yes, a little. Many people still shed virus for a few days after improving.
What if I take Tylenol and my fever drops?
That does not count. Wait 24 hours with a normal temperature and no fever medicine.
Is it the flu or a cold?
The flu usually hits fast, with fever, body aches and fatigue. See flu vs cold.
Does the flu shot still matter?
Yes. It can lower the chance of severe illness. See can the flu shot give you the flu.