Respiratory Virus and Covid-19 Guidance

Loyola University Chicago's COVID-19 and influenza vaccination policy and guidance for faculty, staff, and students is as follows: 

• The COVID-19 primary vaccination and boosters are highly recommended, but are not required for the Lakeshore and Water Tower campuses. 
• Health Science campus students are required to complete the primary series of COVID-19 vaccine and an annual influenza vaccine. 
• More details regarding faculty and staff protocols are on the Human Resources website. 

If you are a student taking a class or a clinical, for example a nursing, medical, or public health student, in an off-site clinical setting or at the Health Science Campus. As soon as you begin to feel unwell and/or have tested positive for an illness contact your clinical faculty and/or your site coordinator about the policy for isolation. The duration of isolation may vary between clinical locations, by diagnosis, and/or by symptoms. 

Stay home and away from others if you have respiratory symptoms. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, headache, among other symptoms. Continue to isolate yourself from others until you are fever free (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND other symptoms are improving. *This duration of time varies for each person*  

Once your symptoms are better, take precautions (like wearing a mask) for the next 5 days.  

If you live with roommates, inform your roommates of your positive diagnosis. Isolate from them as much as possible and wear a well-fitting mask whenever you must be around others.  

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html 

Your isolation starts the day AFTER you started to feel sick or tested positive. 

Stay home and away from others if you have respiratory symptoms. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, headache, among other symptoms. Continue to isolate yourself from others until you are fever free (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND other symptoms are improving. *This duration of time varies for each person* 

Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public. 

For more isolation information and timing: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/downloads/RVG-Summary-Graphic-508.pdf 

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html 

Wear a well-fitting mask whenever you are around others (like roommates) when you are not feeling well.  

Wearing a mask can help lower the risk of respiratory virus transmission.  

 How long someone can spread the virus depends on different factors and is not the same for everyone. After isolation you are typically less contagious, but you may still be able to spread the virus to others. Taking precautions, like wearing a mask, for the next 5 days (after isolation ends) can help reduce the risk.  

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/masks.html 

Message your professors and let them know that you are ill. If your symptoms do not improve within 24 hours, inform your professor of your extended isolation. 

Let your roommates know. If possible, isolate away from them as much as possible and wear your mask whenever you are around others. Isolation housing is not provided by the University. If you have a meal plan and are interested in coordinating meals with Aramark, please communicate with your Residence Life staff.   

Tell those (friends/family/coworkers) that you have had close contact with. You can even send someone an anonymous message via https://tellyourcontacts.org/ 

If you have been close to someone who has Covid-19 or another known respiratory virus  for at least 15 minutes within 24 hours, within six feet means you are a close contact and were likely exposed and you should monitor for symptoms and consider testing 5 days after exposure if a test is available (depending on type of virus).  

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html#when-to-get-tested 

 https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/respiratory-virus-guidance.html 

There are many types of respiratory viruses, including flu, RSV, Covid-19, and those that cause the “common cold”. There are ways to protect ourselves and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.  

Core prevention strategies: 

-Stay up to date with immunizations 

-Practice good hygiene, like washing your hands, covering your cough, cleaning counters and common touched areas.  

-Take steps for cleaner air, like open windows, air purifiers, or gathering outdoors 

-When you may have a respiratory virus: 

-Use precautions to prevent spread, like staying home, testing, wearing a mask, washing hands/good hygiene, physical distancing  

-Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness 

For more information about prevention: 

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/index.html