FAQs

There are several ways to schedule appointments at the Student Health Center. Enter the RIT Wellness Portal and select appt scheduling or if what you need is not available or you are uncertain, select chat to text with one of our staff. Our staff are also ready to speak with you by phone at 585-475-2255. We do hold some appointments in reserve for urgent needs so please connect by phone or chat if you have an urgent need and can’t find a suitable appointment. Options for both in-person and telehealth/zoom appointments are available. Learn more about appointments and hours

As young adults, students are responsible for notifying family and friends regarding illness or injury. RIT staff work with students to involve their parents/guardians.

Please watch this step-by-step video for help completing your required forms

As an RIT student, you will work with the hospital to make a plan to communicate with your parents/family. Should you be involved in a life-threatening event, your parents/family will receive notification from the hospital and/or RIT. Now is a great time to have a conversation with your parents/family about how/when you will be in contact with them and what information they will be sharing.

The Student Health Center doesn’t administer allergy shots. We encourage students to connect with a local Allergy/Immunology practice if you need to continue injections.

RIT has a limited supply of medication for purchase if prescribed during a health center visit. You may also have your medications delivered to campus. Learn more about our medication services

RIT Dining has a Registered Dietitian (RD) on staff who supports students with food allergies or dietary restrictions to navigate on-campus dining. The Dining RD can also help set up special dietary accommodations necessary to meet students’ needs. Learn more about our dietitian

The RIT Student Health Center Registered Dietitian provides Medical Nutrition Therapy for students who have a medical condition impacting their diet, for example, Type 2 Diabetes or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Additionally, students can make a nutrition appointment with this RD or a Nutrition Educator if they have general nutrition questions and/or would like feedback on their current diet. To make an appointment, call 585-475-2255 or go to wellnessportal.rit.edu. Learn more about Nutrition Services at RIT

Students are responsible for notifying professors that they are unable to attend class due to illness. Faculty and Academic Advisors should work with each student to ensure academic continuity.

There are many viruses that cause a “cold” or Upper Respiratory infection, including COVID-19, influenza, RSV, or other viruses. For most people, the primary way to get better is to care for your body. This helps your immune system care for you.  Make sure you’re getting the sleep you need, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Avoid inhaling any chemicals such as nicotine and THC.  You should come to the RIT Student Health Center or local urgent care if you have underlying lung disease, are immunocompromised, are feeling short of breath or are not improving after five days.

How to help your body feel better

• Increase liquids (water, tea with honey, soup, popsicles)
• Gargle with warm salt water (1/4-1/2 tsp salt mixed with 1 cup of warm water)
• Throat lozenges
• Steam inhalation/hot showers
• Nasal saline irrigation/sinus rinse - look for brands such as simply saline, Neil med, ocean or generic version. 

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications 

• For fever or pain
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadolol, Paracetamol, Crocin)
    • 325mg or 500mg, 1 tablet every 4 hours as needed. 
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin)
    • 200mg, 2-3 tablets every 6 hours as needed. Take with food.
  • Naproxen (Aleve)
    • 220mg, 1 tablet every 12 hours as needed. Take with food.
       
• For nasal congestion, stuffy/runny nose
  • Try oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray for no more than 3 days in a row
  • Products with phenylephrine can dry the nose
     
• For Cough - medication tends not to be very effective.
  • Try a combination of honey/lemon juice/warm water 
  • Dextromethorphan (Tussin MD) can help some people with cough
     

How to keep others healthy

• Wear a mask if you're sick, especially indoors.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth 
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
• Throw away used tissues and wash your hands after.
• Avoid close contact with others

RIT follows CDC guidance. If you feel ill, wear a mask and avoid being around other people until you have been fever free and improving symptoms for at least 24 hours. When you do return to your usual activities, wear a mask for an additional 5 days to protect those around you. This guidance applies to all respiratory viruses.

Most people do not need to get tested for COVID-19 if they are ill. Simply follow the guidance for symptomatic support and masking for any viral illness until improving (see FAQ above). However, if you have any medical conditions that weakens your immune system, there are treatments available and so testing might be appropriate for you.

Some common conditions that suggest you should get tested and if positive consider treatment include: cancer, asthma, diabetes, cerebral palsy, heart disease, auto-immune disorders, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease and smoking.

Students who are ill can contact a nurse through Patient Chat and discuss whether to get tested in the Student Health Center.

The CDC recommends that individuals experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness (including COVID-19) stay home and away from others until it has been at least 24 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing medication AND with improving symptoms. Check with your employer regarding any COVID-19 specific policies or pay they may have.

Students who are at risk for more severe illness should contact the Student Health Center or their private physician for consideration of anti-viral treatment. Telephone, secure messaging, or Patient Chat are contact options for the RIT Student Health Center.

COVID-19 tests are available for purchase at the Student Health Center, Corner Store and Global Market on campus. Off-campus, COVID-19 tests are available at pharmacies including Wegmans, reachable by RIT Shuttle F. You may also check with your insurance company if they provide reimbursement for test purchases.

If your roommate, friend, or close contact is ill, you should:

• Reduce the time you spend in close contact with them.

• Wear a high quality mask (e.g. KN95, 94) if you are in the same space together.
• Monitor yourself for illness and take appropriate action if you start feeling sick (see FAQ above).
• Help them by bringing food and calling/texting to check in on them.

Though RIT does not require COVID-19 or influenza vaccination, we strongly recommend students get vaccinated yearly.

Though not required, RIT does encourage masking if you are sick, if you are immune compromised, or if you want to. Recognizing that some members of our community or their loved ones are more susceptible to severe illness, we strongly urge everyone to stay up to date with immunizations, boosters, and masks when appropriate or asked.

High quality KN95/KN94 may be purchased through Amazon and other mail-order vendors. Local pharmacies also stock masks available for purchase.