COVID-19 Symptoms

If you are experiencing any of the following COVID-19-like symptoms, we recommend you get tested for COVID-19 and remain at home while you are feeling ill. See the Testing section for more information on how to take a PCR test at BU. 

  • Fever or chills
  • New cough not related to a chronic condition
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Sore throat 
  • New loss of taste or smell 
  • Severe fatigue or body aches 

    When to Contact SHS about Respiratory Illness

    Determine the severity of your symptoms. There are numerous respiratory illnesses circulating such as the common cold, strep throat, and flu. Consider your symptoms and other underlying health conditions to determine if you need to contact SHS or whether you can rest and monitor symptoms on your own. Consider the following: 

    Are your symptoms moderate or severe?
    Moderate to severe symptoms include: Shaking chills, high fever (over 100.4 degrees), body aches, severe headache, neck pain, painful throat/difficult to swallow, extreme fatigue, frequent cough, chest pain, severe nausea, vomiting, confined to bed. If yes, contact SHS. 

    Or are your symptoms mild?
    Mild symptoms include: Light chills, mildly warm, scratchy throat, runny nose without ear or facial pain, occasional cough, no shortness of breath or chest pain, slightly tired, not confined to bed. If your symptoms are mild and you do not have other chronic medical conditions, you can rest, stay hydrated, and observe your symptoms.  

    Do you have chronic medical conditions, like asthma or a suppressed immune system?
    If yes, contact SHS. 

    If you: 

    • Don’t have COVID-19 
    • Don’t have moderate or severe symptoms 
    • Don’t have other medical conditions 
    • And your symptoms are gradually improving 

      Rest, stay hydrated, and monitor your symptoms for changes. If you don’t feel any better after one week, feel worse, or develop new symptoms, contact SHS.  

      Contacting SHS 

      Ask a nurse

      If you have questions about your symptoms, please contact a nurse through Patient Connect.  

      Log onto Patient Connect > Messages > Primary Care > “Ask a Nurse” 

      How to schedule an appointment

      You can book an appointment for respiratory symptoms through Patient Connect. We ask that you please take a COVID-19 test first to help us assess how to best treat you.

      1. Go to patientconnect.bu.edu
      2. Select Appointments > Primary Care > Cold Symptoms
      3. Or you can call 617-353-3575 to make an appointment