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Emergency Preparedness

SAFE

The priority of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is to provide and maintain a welcoming and safe environment for all official university operations, clinical settings, academic instruction and managed care units.

Measles Information For Health Care Workers

If you feel you have been exposed or are experiencing any signs/symptoms of Measles, DO NOT COME TO WORK. Call Infection Control, (806) 743-1379. Below are the key symptoms of Measles.

Recognizing Measles: Key Symptoms and Diagnosis

  • Early symptoms (2-4 days): cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (the “3 Cs”).
  • Fever ≥ 101 °F
  • Koplik spots: Small, white spots inside mouth on the cheeks, appearing 1-2 days before the rash
  • Rash progression: Starts on the face and spreads downward, typically lasting about a week

Exposure Response & Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

  • Health care worker exposure: If unvaccinated or unsure of immunity, report immediately by calling Infection Control at (806) 743-1379
  • PEP options may include:
    • MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure can prevent disease
    • Immune globulin (IG) within six days for high-risk individuals (pregnant, immunocompromised or infants under 12 months)
  • Work restrictions: Exposed, non-immune health care workers should be excluded from duty from day 5 through day 21 post-exposure

Vaccination and Immunity Guidelines

  • Ensure immunity: Health care workers should have two documented doses of the MMR vaccine or laboratory-confirmed immunity
  • Booster considerations: If at high-risk (frequent patient interactions), a booster dose may be recommended
  • Encourage vaccination: Promote MMR vaccination for patients and staff to limit further spread

Final Takeaway: Stay Prepared and Proactive
Measles outbreaks can escalate quickly, but with proper precautions, early detection and timely intervention, we can minimize the impact. Review your vaccination records, reinforce infection control protocols and stay informed on local case updates. For more detailed guidance, refer to the CDC or your local health department’s recommendations. More information can be found by visiting the CDC's website. Stay safe and thank you for your dedication to patient care!

A young woman with long, curly dark hair wearing a red shirt holds a digital thermometer, looking down at it with a worried expression while holding one hand to her temple.

COVID-19 Information For Health Care Workers

Effective immediately, TTUHSC is transitioning to a symptom-based return-to-work approach for COVID-19 consistent with the institution’s approach to other respiratory illnesses, including influenza.

Return-to-Work Criteria
Employees experiencing COVID-19 or other respiratory illness symptoms should remain away from work while acutely ill.
Employees may return to work when:

  • If fever was present: You have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and your other symptoms are improving.
  • If you never developed a fever: You may return to work once your symptoms are improving without the use of medications to suppress or mask those symptoms.

Return to work is based primarily on symptoms and clinical improvement rather than COVID-19 testing.

COVID-19 Testing
TTUHSC does not require employees to test for COVID-19 as a condition of returning to work.

However, if your symptoms or individual circumstances lead you or your healthcare provider to pursue COVID-19 testing and the result is positive, please report the positive result through the established departmental process.

A positive test does not replace the symptom-based return-to-work criteria outlined above.

Please Remember:

  • Being eligible to return to work does not mean an employee should return while significantly ill. Employees should use good judgment regarding their ability to safely perform their duties and should continue to practice appropriate respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene.
  • Because TTUHSC includes clinical and healthcare environments, additional infection-prevention precautions or work restrictions may apply based on an employee's role, work location, patient population, symptoms, or specific circumstances. Employees working in clinical settings should continue to follow applicable departmental and Infection Prevention requirements.
  • Employees whose symptoms worsen, recur, or do not improve should remain away from work and seek medical evaluation as appropriate.

For questions regarding your individual return-to-work circumstances, please contact Employee/Occupational Health.

Thank you for your continued commitment to protecting the health and well-being of our TTUHSC community.