Healthcare workers are not immune to getting infections that can be transmitted in the healthcare settings, particularly respiratory illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. While EHC requires influenza immunization for all healthcare workers, the influenza vaccine is not 100% effective and vaccinated healthcare workers can still transmit infection to others including patients who are more likely to get severe disease. Medical providers with conjunctivitis, draining wounds or other communicable diseases (e.g. chickenpox/shingles) must not work in a clinical setting until evaluated and deemed not contagious as assessed by OHS or their personal physician prior to returning to work. The on-call pager for OHS for all Emory Healthcare facilities is 404-686-5500, PIC ID #50464.

Medical providers with suspected/confirmed COVID-19, Influenza, or other febrile respiratory illness may return to work if (see OHS website for most up to date information):

1. No fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medications (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen) AND
2. Improving symptoms for at least 24 hours AND
3. Provider agrees to always wear a mask to work (unless alone AND actively eating/drinking) for 10 days from the onset of symptoms (NOTE: The first day of symptoms is considered "day zero")