Health and Wellness | Student Health Services

Respiratory Viruses

You can take steps to protect yourself and the Saint Mary’s University community from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released guidance that brings a coordinated approach to deal with risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV. These viral illnesses can cause significant health impacts and strain on hospitals and health care workers.

The CDC recommends the following steps and strategies:

If you get sick with a respiratory illness, please take the  following steps:

  • Stay home and away from others.
  • If you have COVID-19 or influenza, seek treatment. Current treatments can lesse symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness.
  • Return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours both of the following are true
    • Your symptoms are improving overall, AND
    • You have not had a fever (and are not suing fever-reducing medication)
  • Once you resume normal activities, take additional prevention strategies for the next five days to curb disease spread.
    • Take more steps for cleaner air
    • Enhance hygiene practices
    • Wear a well-fitting mask
    • Keep a distance from others.

 

 

Together we are Saint Mary’s. Together we are stronger.