You should test if you:
You will need to isolate.
How do I isolate?
Depending on your symptoms and the specifics of your case, isolation could last from 5 days up to 10 days or longer. MCLA is following the current CDC guidelines for isolation requirements: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC
General guidelines and expectations for students:
What is close contact?
The CDC defines close contact as someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 2 days before they have any symptoms or test positive.
What do I do if I’m in close contact?
Regardless of vaccination status:
What should I do if my roommate tests positive for COVID?
How do I notify my close contacts after I test positive?
Mild COVID-19 symptoms include:
You can treat mild symptoms on your own, as you would a typical cold or flu. It’s important to:
Occasionally, COVID-19 will cause more severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention such as:
If you are experiencing any of these severe symptoms, call MCLA Campus Safety 413.662.5100 or 911.
Students can reach out to MCLA Health Services at 413.662.5421 during normal business
hours with questions related to COVID-19 symptoms.
Does MCLA require students and employees to be vaccinated against COVID?
Where can I get a COVID vaccine or booster?
The following local pharmacies usually have vaccines and boosters. Be sure to bring your insurance card. Most insurance should cover the cost of vaccines and boosters but call ahead if you are not sure.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or, MCLA Campus Safety 413.662.5100
If you are experiencing any concerning symptoms, call MCLA Health Services at 413.662.5421 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:00 pm, to make an appointment or speak with a provider.
If you are experiencing any concerning symptoms and Health Services is closed, you may visit local community Urgent Care or Emergency Rooms.
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox)
MCLA Health Services is committed to informing the MCLA community about health issues that may affect them. We recognize that there is risk for stigma or discrimination when communicating about a new disease outbreak. We all have a responsibility to reject any stigmatizing words or actions related to Mpox (hMPXV) virus and instead, share accurate information so that people can make the best decisions for their health and the health of our community. Mpox is not a sexually transmitted disease as it can be transmitted by any direct physical contact between someone’s rash, scabs, bodily fluids, and another person. This contact can include sexual activity and any touching of the lesions/rash or even touching of clothing or bedding that an infected person used.
What is Mpox?
Mpox symptoms
People with Mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals, including penis, testicles, labia, and vagina, and anus. The incubation period is 3-17 days. During this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine.
The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
Other symptoms of Mpox can include:
You may experience all or only a few symptoms. Watch for symptoms of Mpox for 21 days from the date of your last exposure. If you have symptoms, such as a rash, visit a healthcare provider.
How long do Mpox symptoms last?
How is Mpox spread?
Mpox is spread through:
What to do if you are a close contact.
If You're a Close Contact | Mpox | Poxvirus | CDC
What to do if you think you have Mpox?
When to Get Tested
Where to Get Tested
What to Expect When You Get Tested
How can you reduce your risk and prevent spread?
Mpox Vaccination Basics
Mpox Vaccine Recommendations | Mpox | Poxvirus | CDC
Information adapted from:
When is Flu season?
How does Flu spread?
When are infected people considered contagious?
When do symptoms develop?
What are the preventive steps to avoid the flu?
How do I know if I have the Flu or Covid-19?
Information adapted from: CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
What is measles?
Is measles dangerous?
How is measles spread?
Who gets measles?
How is measles diagnosed?
How can you prevent measles?
What should travelers do?
Is MMR vaccine safe?
Who should not get MMR vaccine?
Should healthcare workers be extra careful about measles?
Where can I get more information?
Information adapted from: CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html
What is Polio?
Polio (short for “poliomyelitis”) is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It is rare in the U.S. Approximately 95% of people infected with polio will have no symptoms. About 4 – 8% of those infected will have minor symptoms such as fever, fatigue, nausea, headache, flu-like symptoms, stiffness in the neck and back, and pain in the limbs, which often resolve completely. Less than 1% of polio cases result in permanent paralysis of the limbs (usually the legs).
Polio may not cause serious illness in most people, but sometimes it can kill people who get it, usually by paralyzing the muscles that help in breathing. Polio is still common in some parts of the world. So, although there hasn’t been a case of polio caused by naturally occurring virus in the United States since 1979, there is still a risk of the virus coming into this country.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/polio
Is polio dangerous?
How is polio spread?
How can you prevent polio?
Children:
Adults:
Most adults do not need polio vaccine because they were already vaccinated as children. But three groups of adults are at higher risk and should consider polio vaccination:
How many polio vaccines are there?
Are polio vaccines safe?
Who should not get IPV?
Should travelers get polio boosters before leaving the United States?
To find out if the CDC recommends a polio booster dose for a trip, call 1-877-394-8747 or visit either the CDC Travel Information website or the World Health Organization Polio Eradication website.
What is post-polio syndrome?
Where can I get more information?
Information adapted from: CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/polio/what-is-polio/index.htm