If you are experiencing respiratory virus symptoms or were exposed to someone with a respiratory illness, follow the steps in the UW Public Health Flowchart for Respiratory Illness.
UW Medicine medical center employees and University personnel working in patient-facing clinics should consult their clinical supervisor for site-specific respiratory illness policies and reporting requirements.
IF YOU...
...were exposed to a person with a respiratory illness
- You may continue normal activities (such as returning to work and class) if you do not experience symptoms.
- Consider taking precautions to protect those around you, such as wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator when around others at home and in public for the next 5 days.
...have respiratory virus symptoms
- Stay home and away from others. Do not go to work or class.
- Consider taking a test to help decide on treatment options or whether to be around others, especially for those at risk for severe illness.
- Follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
- You are strongly encouraged to notify others you may have exposed.
Returning to normal activities
You can go back to your normal activities after having a respiratory illness when both conditions below are true:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication; and
- Your symptoms have improved.
Stay home if you continue to have a fever, or if other symptoms have not improved (or worsened). Refer to the CDC examples to know how long to stay home.
Take precautions
When resuming normal activities, take added precautions for the next 5 days such as:
- Wear a face covering around others to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. Masks can be picked up for free at various campus locations.
- Take a test when you may be around others with risk factors for severe illness or indoors.
- Practice good sanitation and hygiene such as covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands often, and cleaning common surfaces.
- When possible, open windows, gather outdoors, and use well-ventilated spaces.
- When possible, practice physical distancing between yourself and others.
- Stay up-to-date on immunizations recommended for you.
Reporting illness
UW personnel who believe their respiratory illness was a result of a workplace exposure are asked to submit an incident report (OARS) to Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) for follow up. Learn more about incident reporting.
If a supervisor believes personnel under their supervision are experiencing an outbreak (more than 10% of personnel are out sick with the same illness) notify EH&S.
UW Medicine responds to respiratory illness cases involving personnel at UW Medicine medical facilities.
Notifications and privacy
Individuals who have a respiratory illness and/or test positive are strongly encouraged to let their close contacts know they may have been exposed.
If an individual who is sick with a respiratory illness and/or tests positive chooses to notify EH&S, the identity of individuals who are suspected or confirmed to have a respiratory illness and their close contacts is protected and is disclosed only on a need-to-know basis to those involved in the public health response. This may include UW Human Resources representatives, supervisors, and department or unit leadership.
More information
EH&S COVID-19 Health and Safety Resources
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) Requirements and Guidance for Preventing COVID-19
Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Guidelines