Community Advisory | LMU is Monitoring Monkeypox in L.A. County, Risks Presently Low
LMU continues to monitor current conditions regarding monkeypox in L.A. County, and we remain in close contact with public health authorities. Presently, the risk of monkeypox remains low.
If you are a student and believe you have been exposed or are at risk for monkeypox, please isolate yourself, monitor your symptoms, and contact Student Health Services at 310.338.2881 (call SHS before arriving at the office) or your own healthcare provider. SHS provides education, care plans, and on-site testing for students should the need arise. Faculty and staff who believe they may have contracted monkeypox should isolate and call their primary care physician (call your doctor before arriving at their office). For more information and resources surrounding monkeypox symptoms, treatment, and vaccines, please refer to the CDC and L.A. County Public Health websites.
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What should I do if I’m feeling sick?
If you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 do not come to campus (or leave your on-campus residence) or attend in-person classes/meetings until you obtain a negative COVID-19 test, are fever-free for 24 hours, and your symptoms have improved without the use of medication. Follow these 4 steps:- Seek medical attention. Students may schedule a telehealth appointment or message with a Student Health Services provider via myhealth.lmu.edu. Staff and faculty should contact their medical provider.
- Get tested. COVID-19 at-home rapid tests are available free of charge to members of the LMU community. Learn more, including where to pick one up, here.
You are also welcome to take an antigen test or a PCR test through your medical provider, an L.A. County community test site, or other testing location. Note: Negative results do not preclude the possibility of infection as viral load may be undetectable in the initial days of COVID infection.
- Stay home and isolate yourself. While you await your COVID test/results and even if you test negative - do not leave your residence or socialize with others until you are fever-free and symptoms have subsided for 24 hours. This includes going to class, work, and eating in the dining halls. Do your best to isolate away from your household members – avoid sharing a room and bathroom if at all possible. If you must enter common areas in your residence, wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet away from others, and keep doors and windows open if possible to facilitate air flow.
- After you seek medical care, if your doctor believes you have COVID-19 or you have received a positive COVID-19 test, please immediately isolate, and contact the LMU COVID Support Team for further instructions and resources.
If you know you have been exposed to a positive case and you have developed symptoms, in accordance with the L.A. Health Officer Order, wear a mask in all indoor settings through day 10 (even if you test negative).
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Flu season is Here, it is important that you be prepared. In addition to getting a flu shot, which is highly recommended, here are some other easy precautions to prevent infection:
- Get a flu shot
- Washing hands often and well
- Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Keeping one's distance from sick people
Here are some reasons why getting the flu vaccine is highly recommended by the CDC:
- Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.
- While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common. (See Vaccine Virus Selection for this season's vaccine composition.)
- Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors' visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations
Read more from the CDC about flu prevention.
To book your flu shot, call SHS at (310) 338-2881 or book an appointment online through the MyHealth Portal through MyLMU.