Prevent and Protect

Measles spreads from person to person through the air when an infected individual breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after the infectious person leaves an area. This means you could be exposed to measles without ever being near the infected person.

People can become infected by breathing in contaminated air or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Symptoms of measles in adults may include:

• High fever
• Dry cough
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Eye irritation
• Rash (appears about 14 days after a person is exposed)

For more information about measles symptoms and symptoms of measles in children, visit the Mayo Clinic’s measles webpage.

The best way to protect against measles is to get vaccinated.

Most children in the United States receive two (2) doses of the MMR vaccine early in childhood. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles, and even one dose is highly effective.^[2]

The Illinois Department of Public Health requires that all incoming students born on or after January 1st, 1957 who are enrolled for 6 or more credit hours present documented proof of immunity for measles. For more information about immunization requirements at UIC, visit this Office of the Registrar webpage.

Anyone can get measles, but certain factors may increase the likelihood^[3] including:

• Being unvaccinated for measles

• International travel to countries where measles is more common

• Having a vitamin A deficiency

If you have been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, the chances of becoming infected with measles are exceedingly low. Again, the MMR vaccine is highly effective in protecting against the virus.

A healthcare provider will need to evaluate you and administer tests to determine if you have measles. That’s why it’s crucial to contact your primary healthcare provider or student health services immediately if you suspect you may have measles.

Whenever a student at UIC is identified as being infected with measles, infectious disease experts at UI Health and public health experts at UIC will work together in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Public Health, to quickly identify potential exposures, determine who may be at high-risk of infection, and notify individuals.

Students at the highest risk of infection will be contacted individually, assessed, and be provided with guidance about testing and additional information.

• About Measles (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

• Measles (Mayo Clinic)

• Measles (World Health Organization)

• Measles (National Foundation of Infectious Disease)

• Measles Vaccination (Mayo Clinic)

• Questions about Measles (CDC)

The Neisseria meningitis bacteria is spread through direct contact with a sick person’s saliva or spit, like sharing drinks, coughing on others, or kissing. Prolonged contact, like living with someone, is also a way the bacteria is spread. While this may sound a lot like COVID-19 or the flu, it’s generally not as contagious. However, this disease is often severe.

In early 2024, the CDC reported an increase of meningococcal disease across the United States. Most cases associated with the outbreak were caused by a specific strain of Neisseria meningitidis, invasive serogroup Y strain, which is known to infect the bloodstream. A bloodstream infection can be life-threatening or fatal.

Common symptoms of meningococcal disease include:

• high fever
• stiff neck
• headache

Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, or increased sensitivity to light. Individuals with bloodstream infections, like those caused by the serogroup Y strain, may see a dark purple rash or experience fever and chills.

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

The best form of prevention is to get vaccinated.

The CDC strongly recommends all individuals aged 11 years and older get a meningococcal vaccination.

College freshmen should get vaccinated before entering college, or after starting college if they weren’t previously vaccinated. In fact, the Illinois Department of Public Health mandates that students must be vaccinated against meningococcal disease in order to attend UIC.

New and transfer students should be sure to submit their immunization records to the university.

Your primary care provider can help you make sure you have received your meningococcal vaccinations and recommend appropriate boosters. However, these vaccines are also available at community health clinics, public health departments, and Pharmacies, like CVS and Walgreens.

UIC students can receive a meningococcal vaccination through the Family Medicine Center located in University Village at 722 W. Maxwell St., Chicago, IL, 60607.

Most insurance plans will cover medically necessary vaccines, such as the meningococcal vaccine, but be sure to check with your insurance provider for details about cost to you.

For more information about vaccinations, visit the American Society for Meningitis Prevention or CDC’s Meningitis Vaccination webpage.

Mpox spreads from person-to-person through direct skin-to-skin contact from sex, kissing, hugging, massages, day-to-day household contact with an infected individual, or from caring for someone with mpox. It can also spread through contact with clothing, bedding, or other items used by the person infected with mpox.

Mpox can start with 1-3 days of fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, or swollen lymph nodes/glands.

People often get a rash that may be located on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or genitals.

Mpox can continue to spread to others until the rash is completely gone. Individuals can get sick up to 21 days after having contact with a person infected with mpox.

Avoid close contact (sex, hugging, kissing) with people who are showing mpox symptoms such as a rash.

Avoid contact with materials used by people infected with mpox such as clothing, bedding, toothbrushes, utensils, dishes.

Avoid large gatherings if they involve close skin-to-skin contact.

Wash hands often.

The best prevention for mpox is to get vaccinated. Jynneos is an effective and safe mpox vaccine that protects against two different types of mpox– Clade I and II. It is approved for ages 18 and older. Jynneos is available for travelers to countries with mpox outbreaks and for non-travelers who identify as gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, gender-diverse, or other same-gender loving men.

Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can get mpox.

However, data suggest that mpox spreads primarily among social networks of gay, bisexual, and same gender-loving men through intimate contact. The risk is high for individuals who have multiple or anonymous sexual partners.

Some people might be more likely to get severely ill, including:

• People with severely weakened immune systems
• Children younger than 1
• People with a history of eczema
• Pregnant persons

You should call your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you think you might be sick with mpox. Be sure to call ahead and let them know you have symptoms of mpox. Your doctor will help make arrangements to prevent exposure to patients or staff in the medical office.

Your healthcare provider can evaluate you and decide if you need to be tested. While there is no specific treatment for mpox, your doctor can also help manage your symptoms and prevent complications. Some people may need special medications, especially if they have a weakened immune system, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an active skin condition.

CDPH Immunization Clinics at Greater Lawn West 55^th Street Health Hub, Uptown West Wilson Avenue Health Hub, and Pilsen South Ashland Health Hub.

CDPH STI Clinics at Lakeview North Clark Street Health Clinic, Austin West Division Street Health Hub, and Roseland East 115^th Street Health Hub.

UI Health Family Center for Infectious Diseases, 1801 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL, 60612 (CampusCare not accepted for JYNNEOS vaccine).

UI Health Family & Community Medicine (CampusCare not accepted for JYNNEOS vaccine).

If you have CampusCare and are in need the JYNNEOS vaccine, contact Public Health Initiatives at phinitiatives@uic.edu. 

To search for an mpox vaccine in Chicago, or to find a local vaccination event, check out the CDPH Mpox Vaccine Finder.

More information on mpox can be found at:

• Chicago Department of Public Health Mpox Dashboard
• Chicago Department of Public Health Vaccination Resources
• Mpox (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • What to Do If You Are Sick
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting
  • Vaccine Effectiveness
• Mpox (World Health Organization)
• Mpox (Cleveland Clinic)

Norovirus is spread from person-to-person. People infected with norovirus shed billions of norovirus particles through their vomit or stool which can spread to others. It only takes a few norovirus particles to get you sick.

Some examples of how the virus can be spread:

• Someone with norovirus prepares someone else’s food with their bare hands.
• Food, water, or other objects come into contact with a surface that is contaminated with norovirus, (e.g., a kitchen counter).
• Direct contact with someone who has norovirus (e.g., kissing, holding hands, sharing food, caring for the sick individual).
• Through tiny drops of vomit that are sprayed into the air from an infected person and land on surfaces or accidentally in another person’s mouth.

Symptoms of norovirus may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Low-grade fever
• Headache
• Body aches

Most people recover within 1 to 3 days; however, you can spread the virus from the moment you start feeling sick until at least 3 days after you recover. Some people might still be contagious for up to 2 weeks after their symptoms stop, so it’s important to take precautions.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. With soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, and before eating, preparing, or handling food. Hand sanitizers do not work well against norovirus.

1. Avoid touching your face. People subconsciously touch their face a lot, whether biting nails, rubbing their eyes, or scratching their nose. This increases your risk of getting sick.

1. Disinfect frequent touch surfaces like doorknobs and handles, switches, kitchen counters, and bathroom surfaces. Use a household bleach and water solution (~1 cup household bleach in a gallon of water), which is effective at killing norovirus. Most disinfecting wipes, while convenient, are not completely effective.

• Isolate yourself from others for at least 48 hours after your symptoms stop.
  • If possible and safe to do so, consider isolating off-campus.
  • On-campus isolation spaces may be available for use. Speak to your RA for more information if you’d like to explore this further.

• Clean areas you used (like a bathroom) immediately. If you live in a residence hall with shared communal bathrooms, alert your RA so they can request enhanced cleaning measures.
  • Wipe down as much visible vomit or stool with a paper towel before applying cleaning solutions.
  • A household bleach and water solution (described above). Do not use the solution on carpet as it can stain.
  • Let the solution sit for at least 5 minutes and clean the area again with soap and hot water.

• Do not prepare food for others while sick or for at least 48 hours after symptoms end.
  • Throw away potentially contaminated food.

• Wash clothes or linens that may have vomit or stool on them in hot water.
  • Use the longest cycle length possible for both washing and drying.

• Drink plenty of fluids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Taking frequent small sips of water can help, especially if vomiting.
  • Sports drinks and non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic drinks can help with mild dehydration. Oral rehydration fluids (e.g., Pedialyte) are available over the counter. If you are unable to hold down fluids for more than 12 hours or if you experience dizziness, you should seek medical attention.

How to Prevent Norovirus, CDC

Disinfectant Products Effective Against Norovirus, EPA

Cleaning a Home When Someone Has Norovirus, NoroCORE

Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air when someone with tuberculosis disease coughs, sneezes, or spits. To become infected with tuberculosis requires prolonged close contact with a contagious individual. Casual contact, such as waiting in line next to a contagious person for a few minutes, will not lead to infection transmission.

As mentioned above, not everyone who is infected with tuberculosis will become sick. A person with LTBI has a small amount of TB germs in their body but they do not have symptoms and cannot spread TB to others. These people should speak with their doctor about getting treated to reduce the chance of developing active TB disease.

On the other hand, TB Disease means a person has large amounts of TB germs in their body, has many symptoms, and can spread TB germs to others. Individuals with TB disease require treatment.

Symptoms of TB disease may include prolonged and abnormal:

• Cough lasting longer than 4 weeks
• Coughing up blood
• Prolonged Fevers
• Prolonged Night Sweats

Additional signs and symptoms for active TB disease can be found on this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage.

Anyone can get tuberculosis, but certain medical conditions may put someone at higher risk for developing TB disease following an exposure.[2] These include:

• HIV
• Substance use (such as injection drug users)
• Specialized treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease
• Organ transplants
• Severe kidney disease
• Head and neck cancer
• Diabetes
• Medical treatments such as corticosteroids
• Persons with low body weight

Other people who may be at higher risk for TB disease including:

• People who were born or frequently travel to countries where TB is more common including Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• People who used to live in large group settings where TB is more common such as homeless shelters or jails.
• People who work in places where TB is more likely to spread such as hospitals and nursing homes.

A doctor will need to test you for TB infection which can typically be done with a blood or skin test. Remember, people with Latent TB disease may not have any symptoms.

There is a vaccine for TB disease, but it is not commonly given in the United States. It is primarily used in countries where TB is more common. The vaccine doesn’t prevent people from getting tuberculosis, but rather helps prevent people from developing severe forms of the disease.

If you’ve had a TB vaccine, you should make sure tell your healthcare provider, especially if you are getting tested as it may cause a false positive TB skin test result.

Whenever a student at UIC is identified as having active TB disease, infectious disease experts at UI Health and public health experts at UIC will work together in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Public Health, to carefully examine the case, determine potential exposures, and assess the risk to the UIC community.

Students at the highest risk of infection will be contacted individually and be provided with guidance about testing. In accordance with public health recommendations, if someone in this high-risk group is found to be sick, UIC will continue to expand notifications and test other students who may have had a lower-risk exposure.

• Questions & Answers About Tuberculosis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

• Tuberculosis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

• Tuberculosis (World Health Organization)

• 5 Things to Know About Tuberculosis (YouTube)