Winter Term 2026 Update: Flu-Like Illness is on the Rise 

January and February tend to be part of the peak season for colds, flu and other viruses. Recent media reports indicate that cases of flu-like illness reported by the CDC and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services have escalated in the first weeks of the year. Recent case numbers reported by Student Health Services and Faculty/Staff Health and Wellness reflect similar increases.

It is important that all members of the university community take steps to protect themselves and others by following these strategies and prevent the spread of many types of viruses.

Preventing the Flu

  1. Get a flu vaccine: The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine can help protect you and others from the flu and serious complications. Flu vaccines are offered free to students, faculty and staff by appointment in the Ellington Center for Health and Wellness.

    To schedule an appointment, students should call Student Health Services at (336)-278-7230. Faculty and staff should call the Faculty/Staff Health and Wellness Clinic at (336) 278-5569.

  2. Continue mitigation strategies to reduce the spread of viruses. The CDC recommends prevention strategies for all respiratory viruses. To help reduce the spread of germs, you can:
    1. Stay home if you’re sick
    2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
    3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
    4. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
    5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

If You Become Ill

  • Seek medical intervention and testing early. Symptomatic testing for respiratory viruses will continue to be available on campus. Diagnostic testing for those with symptoms is available at Student Health Services and the Faculty/Staff Health & Wellness Clinic as part of regular appointments for those seeking evaluation for illness. Students may also consult medical providers at TimelyCare virtual medical care any time of day or night if they develop flu-like symptoms.
  • Take antiviral drugs if prescribed.
    • If you have the flu and your doctor prescribes antiviral drugs, you can take them to help you feel better faster, shorten your illness, and prevent serious complications. Antiviral drugs are most effective when you start taking them early in your illness.
    • If you have respiratory symptoms, you should stay home until your symptoms improve and you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours. You should also take extra precautions for the next five days, such as wearing a mask, practicing physical distancing, and taking steps to improve air quality and hygiene.
  • Follow CDC Guidance. In March 2024, the Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance for respiratory viruses. Public health officials and the university recommend following the CDC guidance that anyone who becomes sick with a respiratory virus, including flu-like illness and COVID-19, remain at home until 24 hours after your symptoms are improving, with or without medication; and 2) you have not had a fever and are not using fever-reducing medication. Wear a mask around other until your symptoms have fully resolved. Read the complete CDC guidance for more about protecting yourself and others if you get sick.
  • Follow university policies guidance and polices regarding missed classes or work.

Elon will remain adaptive and responsive as conditions evolve. The university’s Infectious Disease Response Team meets regularly, monitoring campus conditions and working closely with local and state health officials to offer recommendations, as needed, to support the university community.

Sources of information

Additional consultation is available from the following sources:

For students:

For staff and faculty:

Mask policy and information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends masking as an important tool in preventing the transmission of any respiratory illness, including COVID-19. Members of the community who are symptomatic for any respiratory illness are encouraged to wear a mask when indoors.

Masks are available at the Moseley Information Desk for visitors or members of the university community who may need one.

Vaccine recommendations

Elon strongly encourages all students, faculty and staff to be fully up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and annual flu shots, including booster doses when eligible. Vaccines are available at all local pharmacies, as well as during clinics held on campus in the fall/winter.

Although the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine are not required, we know these are effective in reducing severity of symptoms, mitigating the spread of the virus and preserving health care resources. For more information about state-required vaccines please see the Immunization Requirements & Compliance webpage.

Please note: Some clinical placements, internships and/or travel programs may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination and boosters. Check program requirements for details.

Testing resources

Sick visits, including diagnostic testing, are available for students by appointment at Student Health Services and for staff and faculty by appointment at the Faculty/Staff Health & Wellness Clinic. Students, faculty and staff who are ill and schedule an appointment will be seen and evaluated by a medical provider.

At-home tests for COVID-19 and flu can be purchased at local pharmacies. For those looking for transportation to local pharmacies, check out the Elon Express bus schedule.

What to do if you feel sick

Seek medical intervention and testing early. Symptomatic testing for respiratory viruses will continue to be available on campus. Diagnostic testing for those with symptoms are available at Student Health Services and the Faculty/Staff Health & Wellness Clinic as part of regular appointments for those seeking evaluation for illness. Students may also consult medical providers at TimelyCare virtual medical care any time of day or night if they develop flu-like symptoms.

Take antiviral drugs if prescribed 

  • If you have the flu and your doctor prescribes antiviral drugs, you can take them to help you feel better faster, shorten your illness, and prevent serious complications. Antiviral drugs are most effective when you start taking them early in your illness.
  • If you have respiratory symptoms, you should stay home until your symptoms improve and you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours. You should also take extra precautions for the next five days, such as wearing a mask, practicing physical distancing, and taking steps to improve air quality and hygiene.

Follow CDC guidance

In March 2024, the Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance for respiratory viruses. Public health officials and the university recommend following the CDC guidance that anyone who becomes sick with a respiratory virus, including flu-like illness and COVID-19, remain at home until 24 hours after your symptoms are improving, with or without medication; and 2) you have not had a fever and are not using fever-reducing medication. Wear a mask around other until your symptoms have fully resolved. Read the complete CDC guidance for more about protecting yourself and others if you get sick.

Follow university guidance and policies regarding missed classes or work

  • Guidance for navigating student absences can be found on the Student Care and Outreach website. Students should follow this guidance if they become ill and must miss classes.
  • Sick Leave and Continuity of Work/Instruction policies are available on the Human Resources website.

Students who are ill or unable to physically get to the dining halls to access meals can take advantage of Elon’s Under the Weather Meal Vouchers program by calling the Office of Student Care and Outreach at 336-278-7104 during business hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.) Students who become ill in the evening or on the weekend can call Campus Safety at (336) 278-5555 to access vouchers.

What to do if you've been exposed

As you would with any respiratory virus, including flu, RSV, and COVID-19, monitor your symptoms and seek treatment if you are experiencing symptoms. Following CDC-recommended prevention strategies is important to reducing the spread of respiratory viruses.

Absence policies

Students should report absence due to illness directly to their faculty and student employment supervisors – as they would any illness. For extended absences (more than 5 consecutive days), emergency absences, or absences during final exams, consult the Student Care and Outreach website for additional guidance. All absences from classes are addressed by individual faculty members in their course syllabi, consistent with the attendance policy in the Academic Catalog and the student absences policies in the Faculty Handbook.

Staff and faculty should consult the Staff Manual and Faculty Handbook for guidance on reporting absences to supervisors. The Human Resources website has information about the Continuity of Work/Instruction Plan for employees who need to be temporarily away from campus due to any infectious disease requiring a quarantine period of 5 or more days.