COVID-19 Symptoms and Testing
Take Action to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
Loyola follows the latest recommendations for isolation for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The CDC explained that as COVID-19 has become a similar public health concern as other common respiratory viruses, unified and practical guidance will be issued as Respiratory Virus Guidance instead of virus-specific guidance. This is to account for a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as influenza and RSV.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you may return to 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.
Per OSHA's current regulatory requirements, faculty, staff, and student workers are still required to email covid@loyno.edu if you test positive for COVID-19. Students not employed by the university are no longer required to email their positive status.
If you feel sick, please follow the guidance of a medical professional.
Common symptoms of COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you’re showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
Testing is available at the Student Health Clinic to students who are feeling symptoms of COVID-19. There are also many testing options available across the city. Take-home COVID-19 tests are available at most local pharmacies and online. Don’t forget to check the expiration date on your at-home test before using it.