Respiratory illnesses affect the airways and lungs (respiratory system). They include both upper respiratory tract (e.g. nose, throat) and lower respiratory tract (e.g. lungs).
Common Causes and Types of respiratory illness include:
- Viral: influenza (flu), COVID‑19, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), adenovirus, rhinovirus/enterovirus, parainfluenza, etc
- Bacterial: e.g. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, pneumococcal disease.
To prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses on campus, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to practice good hygiene, stay up to date on vaccinations, wear masks in crowded indoor spaces when necessary, and stay home when experiencing symptoms to protect the health of the SCU community. All members of the SCU community are also encouraged to monitor their health and act promptly when illness symptoms arise. Early consultation with a healthcare provider can prevent complications, support recovery, and limit the spread of infectious diseases on campus.
The University follows CDC Guidance with regards to respiratory illness protocols;
When you may have a respiratory virus - stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication)
Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious after your symptoms fully resolve but some people, like those with immunocompromising conditions, can shed the virus for a long time.
If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again. If your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever and are not using fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours, you can resume normal activities again. You should then take added precaution for the next 5 days as listed above.