Texas Tech University

COVID-19 Questions and Answers

"What are the symptoms of COVID-19?"

Per CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms.pdf 
• New cough
• Fever (feeling feverish, or temperature greater than 100°
• Chills
• New muscle pain not due to another medical condition such as injury or other activity (physical exercise)
• New shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Red Flags: Rapid deterioration associated with: severe shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure, confusion, difficulty awakening from sleep, cyanosis (bluish discoloration) of lips/face. Go to the Emergency Room immediately / call 911.

"What does quarantine mean in this COVID-19 pandemic?"

The terminology can be confusing. Quarantine in this pandemic is a 14-day period of staying at home and away from others while monitoring for symptoms and checking temperature twice a day in someone who is asymptomatic and has met the definition of a close contact to an infected (positive) case. Close contact is defined as within 6 feet or less of the positive case for at least 15 minutes in the past 48 hours.

"What does isolation mean in this COVID-19 pandemic?"

Isolation is a minimum of a 10-day period of staying at home and away from others in someone who is recovering from COVID-19 symptoms or must spend 10 days in isolation past the date of the positive test in someone who is asymptomatic. Some people may take longer than 10 days to recover.

"I was exposed but have no symptoms."

Quarantine unless deemed "low risk" by your medical provider. A how-to guide to quarantine is available through the CDC. 

"What do I do if feeling sick?"

• Please call for an appointment to be evaluated by one of the healthcare providers at TTU Student Health Services.
• If you are concerned about COVID-19 infection, then please stay isolated at home and do not go to class, work, or public places. A how-to guide to isolation is available through the CDC. Also, see 10 thing to do if you are sick with COVID-19. 

"My family member / roommate / intimate partner is positive, should I get tested?"

• A close household or intimate contact is already presumed positive and must quarantine.
• Contact a healthcare provider for guidance.
• Consider testing especially if working in healthcare / working in food-service / immunosuppressed / typically around groups of people

"My doctor's office won't see me without a test result."

• Schedule a telemedicine visit with Student Health or access care on demand through MyTeamCareNow, especially if symptomatic
• ER referral based on "red flag" or worsening symptoms. Please call the ER in advance and notify them of COVID concern to minimize exposure in the waiting room. Red Flags: Rapid deterioration associated with: severe shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure, confusion, difficulty awakening from sleep, cyanosis of lips/face.

Student Health Services