Student Health Services

Location

Rear entrance of DaSilva Hall (map; directly across from Donovan Hall)

Hours of Operation

Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please note our office is closed during University observed holidays. We are closed on Fridays beginning Friday, June 2 through Friday, August 4 (summer Fridays). Regular hours of operation resume on Monday, August 7.

Phone Number

718-990-6360

How to Send a Secure Message in Medicat

If this is a true medical emergency and you are on campus, please contact Public Safety at 718-990-5252 and if you are off campus please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.

1. If you have a general medical question or an immunization compliance question please send a secure message to Student Health Services via the Medicat Patient Portal.
2. Please do not send appointment requests or cancellations through secure messaging, instead call the health center at 718-990-6360.
3. How to send a message:
   1. Login into signonstjohns.edu with your university credentials
   2. Select the "Medicat Student Health Services & Wellness" tile
   3. On the left hand side of page, select "Messages"
   4. Select "Compose"
   5. Select "Student Health Services"
   6. Compose your secure message
   7. Click "Submit"

If you are experiencing a true medical emergency, please call 911 OR if you are on campus, call Public Safety at 718-990-5252.

You may make an appointment the following ways:

• Schedule an appointment online (select "Appt"),
• Call us at 718-990-6360, or
• Walk in to schedule an appointment.

When availability permits, Student Health Services accepts walk-in appointments based on clinical need and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Heather Ienopoli, FNP-BC

Director of Student Health Services & Family Nurse Practitioner  

Heather Torelli-Ienopoli is an ANCC board certified Family Nurse Practitioner who is specialized in Family Practice Medicine which focuses in pediatric, adult, and geriatric medicine.  She is the Medical Director for St. John’s University’s Student Health Services Department for the Queens Campus. She completed her Associate and Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Gwynedd Mercy College in Gwynedd, Pennsylvania and then earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has been in healthcare for over 17 years working in acute inpatient care,  primary care, retail health, and cooperate health in provider, educator, and leadership roles. Her philosophy when it comes to medicine is to prevent chronic illness by early intervention and education. She came to St. John’s from Crossover Health @ Comcast NBCUniversal in August 2022 and feels blessed to have the opportunity to care for St. John’s Students, as they are the bright minds of our future! She is a wife and loving mother to her son and golden retriever. She loves running, live comedy and traveling.

Tatum Fitzgerald, DNP, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Tatum FitzGerald is a Family Nurse Practitioner for Student Health Services for the Queens campus. She is an ANCC board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a subspecialty in Women's Health. She received her Master's of Science in Nursing, and later, her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Columbia University. She began her career as a Counselor and Healthcare Associate in sexual/reproductive health nine years ago. She has since practiced as an RN and FNP in primary and urgent care practices and believes strongly in providing quality healthcare to under-served communities. She joined Student Health at St. John's in March of 2023 and feels privileged to be caring for students at this time in their young adult lives. She enjoys any and all outdoor activities, eating delicious food, and rooting for the Knicks!

Mark Winkler, FNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

Mark is a ANCC Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Molloy University, complemented by a Masters in Public Health from New York University. As a Nurse Practitioner, Mark has made contributions to the field, with experience in urgent care and community health settings. Over the course of his 17-year career, he has been committed to compassionate patient care and community advocacy. Hailing from the vibrant neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens, Mark's roots in the community have deeply influenced his passion for accessible healthcare. Mark enjoys precious moments with his family, cherishing the quality time spent together. Additionally, he has shared his experience by serving as an adjunct professor at Molloy University for over a decade, nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals with his knowledge and experience.

Nicole Casten, RN

Registered Nurse

Nicole is a licensed Registered Nurse who received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the College of New Rochelle. She has been in health care for over 20 years. She has nursing experience in the fields of occupational health, critical care, primary care, and women’s reproductive health. Nicole joined the Student Health Services team in June 2022 having 10 years of previous college health experience. She loves being a part of the SHS team caring for the well being of St. John's students. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is a huge Marvel fan and loves music and dancing.

Rhiannon Alton, RN

Registered Nurse

Rhiannon is one of the Registered Nurses for Student Health Services at St. John’s University. Rhiannon graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Molloy University in 2019. After receiving her licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of NY, she went on to work in the inpatient hospital setting, gaining experience in the specialties of Pediatrics and Labor and Delivery. Rhiannon joined the St. John's Student Health Services team as an RN in February 2023. She is excited to be a part of the St. John’s community and looks forward to creating a welcoming environment for students to address their health care needs! While not at work, she loves traveling, spending time with family and friends, and cozying up to a good book.

Kristine Alido

Front Desk/Medical Record Specialist

Kristine Alido is your Medical Records Specialist who will be your first person of contact upon entering the Student Health Service Center. Kristine is a great resource for answering student questions and setting students up with providers for office visits.  Kristine attended Plaza College and is a Certified Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist.  Prior to working at St. John’s University, Kristine worked for private clinics and within the last 5 years she has been in corporate health assisting providers with outpatient procedures, handling confidential paperwork, and providing quality patient care for a high-profile client.  Kristine joined Student Health at St. John's in March of 2023 and is eager to bring high quality customer service skills to an established medical facility that will enable her to utilize all the skills she has acquired from past experiences.  On her downtime, she enjoys reading, meditating, exploring the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling the family pets.   

St. John’s University will retain medical records for 7 years post a student's graduation or departure from the University. If it has been more than 7 years, you should contact your pediatrician or primary care doctor for your immunization records

If you have been a student within the last 7 years, please follow these steps to request your immunization records.

If You Remember Your Sign-on Credentials:

1. Sign into your signon.stjohns.edu account with your university credentials.
2. Select the icon “Medicat Student Health Services & Wellness”.
3. Select the “Immunization" page.
4. Select the green "Print" button to print all of your immunizations.
5. Then go to the “Upload” page, and scroll down to the bottom.
6. Any form that you submitted to St. John's should be accessible for you to print (e.g. actual copies of medical forms you submitted from your doctor).

If You Do Not Remember Your Sign-on Credentials:

1. Contact the Office of the Registrar for your X number if you do not remember it. You will need to provide this to IT.
   • Office hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am to 4:30pm and Friday 8:30am to 3 p.m. ET
   • Phone: 718-990-1339
2. Contact St. John's IT Support, provide them with your X-Number,  and ask them to reset your password for your signon.stjohns.edu account.
   • Office hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 7:30 pm ET
   • Phone: 718-990-5000
3. Create a Support Ticket: https://ithelp.stjohns.edu/support/tickets/new
4. Once your account is reset, please follow the below steps:
   1. Sign into your signon.stjohns.edu account with your university credentials.
   2. Select the icon “Medicat Student Health Services & Wellness”.
   3. Select the “Immunization" page.
   4. Select the green "Print" button to print all of your immunizations.
   5. Then go to the “Upload” page, and scroll down to the bottom.
   6. Any form that you submitted to St. John's should be accessible for you to print (e.g. actual copies of medical forms you submitted from your doctor).

If St. John's IT Support Is Not Able to Reset Your User Account

1. Contact Student Health Services:
   • Office hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am to 4:30pm and Friday 8:30am to 3:00 pm EST (Please note: The SHS office is closed on Fridays during summer break)
   • Phone: 718-990-6360
2. You will need to submit:
   • An authorization for release of records form.
   • Copy of your photo ID.

New York State Public Health Laws 2165 and 2167 require students to provide proof of immunization to Measles, Mumps & Rubella as well as proof of meningitis vaccine or declined meningitis vaccine.

*Fully online students, who never come to campus, are only required to provide proof of the Meningitis Vaccine or submit the "Meningitis Declination" form.

Provide proof of immunization against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. It is required that you satisfy one of the three options below:

• Option 1: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Immunizations are given as a combination vaccine known as the MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are required for compliance. Dose #1 must be administered no more than four days prior to your first birthday. Dose #2 must be administered no less than 28 days after your first dose.
  • Please note: A MMR immunization given before 1968 is acceptable only if the immunization record specifies that the vaccine was a live virus vaccine.
• Option 2: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Immunizations are all given separately.
  • Measles: Two doses of the the measles vaccine are required for compliance. Dose #1 must be administered no more than four days prior to your first birthday. Dose #2 must be administered no less than 28 days after your first dose.
  • Mumps: One dose of the Mumps Vaccine is required for compliance. Dose # 1 must be administered no more than four days prior to your first birthday.
  • Rubella: One dose of the Rubella Vaccine is required for compliance. Dose # 1 must be administered no more than four days prior to your first birthday.
• Option 3: Submit a MMR IgG Antibody titers lab report that shows proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

MMR and Meningitis Forms:

• Immunization Form

Provide proof of immunization to Meningitis or submit a declination form.

• Proof of the Meningitis ACWY vaccine taken within 5 years of enrollment, and after student’s 16th birthday.

Meningitis Forms:

• Meningitis Declination Form (complete online form in Medicat)
• Meningitis Declination Form for Minors (younger than 18 years)

For individuals who wish to decline the Meningitis Vaccine:

1. Select "Forms" tab on the left hand side of the page.
   • If you are 18 years or older: Click on the "Meningitis Declination Form (18 years and older)" and complete the online form.
   • If you are younger than 18 years of age: Click on the "Meningitis Declination Form for Minors (Younger than 18 yrs old)," print and have your parent or guardian complete the form.
2. Then go to the "Uploads" page, next to "Meningitis Declination Form" click "Select File" to browse your computer for the document you will upload and click "Upload".

Have Additional Questions?

You can call Student Health Services at 718-990-6360.

Need Help with Medicat?

For assistance logging in, please read:

• How to log in to signon.stjohns.edu
• How to access the Medicat patient portal

Students who have not submitted proof of immunization and a meningitis response form to Student Health Services will face the following consequences under New York State law:

• Your enrollment will be canceled.
• You will not be permitted to attend any classes or permitted to remain in the residence halls.

The financial implications of canceled enrollment are:

• Your financial aid will be adjusted to reflect no-enrollment status and all aid canceled accordingly.
• All parent/student loans will go into repayment status which ultimately may not be reinstated.

For international students, the student status implications of canceled enrollment are:

• You will be in violation of your F1 status.
• Your Form I-20 will be terminated.
• Your status will need to be reported to the Office of Immigration.

A student may not attend in-person classes until either the student (a) has been formally granted an exemption to the University’s MMR Vaccination requirement or (b) has provided proof of immunity or vaccination to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR).

If an application for an exemption to the University’s MMR vaccine requirement is denied, your student must provide proof of receipt of MMR vaccination via Medicat to maintain enrollment in-person classes. The University’s decision on an exemption application is final and not appealable.
 
If a student is granted a medical/religious exemption to the University’s MMR vaccine requirement, it is only valid for that academic year (i.e., 2023-2024) or during the period advised by your medical provider; the student must reapply each academic year or when terms of the granted exemption expire.

For students living in University housing: Before being allowed to move in, a student must have submitted proof of full vaccination or immunity (e.g. titers) against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) or have been formally granted a medical/religious exemption. There are no exceptions to this policy. If you are unsure of the requirements, please see the See “MMR” tab.

If you have any questions regarding the University’s MMR vaccine requirement, please call Student Health Services at 718-990-6360.

To apply for a religious exemption from the MMR vaccination, you must complete all four of the following requirements and upload them to the Medicat Patient Portal:

1. Submit the “Request for Religious Exemption: MMR Immunization Form”
   1. If you are younger than 18 years prior to your first day of classes: Have your Parent or Guardian Complete the “Request for Religious Exemption: MMR Immunization for Minors (Younger than 18 Years)”
   2. If you are 18 years or older: Complete the "Request for Religious Exemption for MMR Immunization (18 years & Older)”
2. Submit the “Religious Organization Form: MMR Immunization Exemption”
3. Submit the Personal Statement Form: MMR Immunization Exemption
4. Submission of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Titers, which is a blood test that determines immunity. This must be submitted so that the University is aware of the student’s immunity status in the event of a MMR outbreak. Exemption approval will not be granted without knowledge of current antibody levels.
5. Forms:
   1. Personal Statement Form: MMR Immunization Exemption
   2. Request For Religious Exemption: MMR Immunization For Minors (Younger Than 18 Years)
   3. Request For Religious Exemption: MMR Immunization (18 Years & Older)
   4. Religious Organization Form: MMR Immunization Exemption

To apply for a medical exemption from the MMR vaccination, you must complete ALL THREE of the     following Requirements and upload them to the Medicat Patient Portal:

1. Submit the Request for Medical Exemption: MMR Immunization Form
   1. If you are younger than 18 years prior to your first day of classes: Have your Parent or Guardian Complete the “Request for Medical Exemption: MMR Immunization for Minors (Younger than 18 Years)” 
   2. If you are 18 years or older: Complete the "Online Medical Exemption Request for MMR Vaccination (18 years & Older)”
2. Submit the “Request for Medical Exemption: MMR Immunization Health Care Provider Form”
3. Submission of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Titers, which is a blood test that determines immunity. This must be submitted so that the University is aware of the student’s immunity status in the event of an MMR outbreak. Exemption approval will not be granted without knowledge of current antibody levels.
4. Forms:
   1. Request For Medical Exemption: MMR Immunization For Minors (Younger Than 18 Years)
   2. Medical Exemption: MMR Immunization Provider Form
   3. Request For Medical Exemption: MMR Immunization (18 Years & Older)

As of March 28, 2023, St. John's no longer requires students to provide proof of vaccination to COVID-19.

Vaccinations and boosters are strongly recommended as they remain very effective in protecting each of us individually from serious illness and death. Visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov for assistance finding a nearby vaccination site.

Why You Should Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19

COVID-19 is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and death. Even healthy people can get very sick from COVID-19 and spread it to others. The people at greatest risk for poor outcomes are adults over the age of 50 years, those who are immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system, and  individuals who have certain underlying health conditions.

The Center for Disease Control still recommends that the best protection against COVID-19 is the COVID-19 primary vaccination series and booster.

Want to Know More?

• Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters
• Factors That Affect Your Risk of Getting Very Sick from COVID-19

Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. "Flu season" in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Anyone planning to receive a flu vaccine should speak with a health-care provider before being vaccinated. The University will not be responsible for any adverse reactions due to the flu vaccine. Visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov for assistance finding a nearby vaccination site.

Want to Know More?

• Key Facts About Influenza (Flu)
• Prevent Seasonal Flu

Immunization Forms

• Immunization Form
• Meningitis Declination Form (complete online form in Medicat)
• Meningitis Declination Form for Minors (younger than 18 years)

Immunization Information

• MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella): What You Need to Know
• Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine: What You Need to Know

Students should submit the Physical Examination Form as required by their program. Please provide this form to your health-care provider (MD, DO, NP, or PA).

Once the form has been completed, please upload it via Medicat.

Students should use the Club Sports Physical Medical Eligibility Form for pre-participation clearance for club sports at St. John's. Please provide this form to your health-care provider (MD, DO, NP, or PA).

Once the form has been completed, please upload it via Medicat.

How to Obtain and Upload Forms:

Our online patient portal, Medicat, offers a convenient way to submit the health forms required by St. John's University. Once you have deposited as a St. John's student or registered for classes, you will receive access to Medicat, via signon.stjohns.edu.

St. John’s University has an interface with the New York State and New York City Immunization Registries, so if you have received your immunization in New York State it is likely we have your information on file. You can see this by clicking on the "Immunization" tab. If you do not have the required immunizations on file, please follow the below steps.

To obtain and upload health forms in Medicat, the online patient portal:

1. ​Go to signon.stjohns.edu and sign in using your St. John's network credentials that you use to access your St. John’s email.
2. Once you signed in, click on the icon for Medicat (Student Health Services and Wellness).
   ​

Once you are in Medicat:

For MMR and meningitis vaccines:

1. To obtain the Immunization Form: Select the "Forms" tab on the left hand side, then select "Immunization Form". Print this form, bring it to your medical provider. The form must be filled out completely, signed, stamped and submitted in the English language.
2. To submit your immunizations: Select the "Immunizations" tab, scroll down to the blue drop down menu and select the vaccine or titer you wish to upload, enter the date the vaccine or titer was performed, scroll down and select "Submit." This will bring you directly to the "Upload" page. Scroll down, next to "Immunization Form" click "Select File" to browse your computer for the document you will upload and click "Upload".
   • Please note: You can input multiple immunizations at once before clicking the submit button.

For individuals who wish to decline the meningitis vaccine:

1. Select "Forms" tab on the left hand side of the page.
   • If you are 18 years or older: Click on the "Meningitis Declination Form (18 years and older)" and complete the online form.
   • If you are younger than 18 years of age: Click on the "Meningitis Declination Form for Minors (Younger than 18 yrs old)," print and have your parent or guardian complete the form.
2. Then go to the "Uploads" page, next to "Meningitis Declination Form" click "Select File" to browse your computer for the document you will upload and click "Upload".

Have Additional Questions?

Important: Please allow up to 14 business days for immunization records to be processed.

For questions about health forms, please call Student Health Services at 718-990-6360.

Need Help with Medicat?

For assistance logging in, please read:

• How to log in to signon.stjohns.edu
• How to access the Medicat patient portal

In the event of an unlikely emergency, take some time now to learn how your insurance works so you know what to do, where to go, and who to call. Please visit Student Health Insurance to learn more.

How to access your Aetna Health Insurance ID Card:

1. Go to www.universityhealthplans.com
2. Enter STJ in search box
3. Scroll down to Online Insurance ID located on the left sidebar
4. Select Aetna 2023-2024 and you will be directed to the following Aetna website: https://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/en/school/232245/members/get-id-card.html
5. To print out your Aetna Medical Insurance Card you will need to complete the Aetna form, please follow the instructions provided by Aetna.
6. The other option is to access your digital Insurance ID Card on the Aetna Health app, instructions are listed on the weblink listed above.

If you are a resident of New York State, you may consider obtaining health insurance through the New York State Health Insurance Exchange. You may also call 311 and ask for information about public health insurance programs.

There may be times when you might need extra support to cope more effectively with a personal or emotional issue. The staff at the Center for Counseling and Consultation is dedicated to helping students with a whole range of challenges that may interfere with the ability to live well, relate to others, and succeed academically.

Disability Services aims to aid students with all types of conditions including physical and learning disabilities, temporary injuries, and chronic illnesses to access the educational possibilities at St. John’s University as per federal law.

The Sexual violence Outreach, Awareness, and Response (SOAR) office works to prevent and reduce the traumatic impact of sexual assault, dating and relationship violence, and stalking at St. John’s University. We do this through outreach with community stakeholders, raising awareness among our student population and by supporting victims through providing on and off campus resources.

Campus Recreation provides the entire University community with the opportunity to participate in a variety of formal and informal activities. Our activities encompass team sports, individual and dual sports, as well as competitive and noncompetitive activities.

The mission of the Wellness Education team is to help you create a "wellness kit" that includes the most effective strategies for balanced living. We want to put the information you need to make healthy choices into your hands.

If you do not have proof of receiving the Measles, Mumps, or Rubella (MMR) vaccinations but have had these vaccinations in the past, you may submit a MMR titer result to fulfill this requirement.

The MMR titer is a blood test that shows whether or not you have immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. In order for the titer to suffice the university requirement, you must be immune to all three: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.

Helpful tips:

Contact your primary care physician or an urgent care to get an appointment for a MMR titer. If you go to an urgent care, you must be 18 years or older for an independent office visit. For students younger than 18 years, you will need to have a parent or legal guardian present.

Items to bring with you to your appointment:

• Valid form of identification, e.g., driver license, state ID, passport
• Insurance card (Uninsured students can pay out of pocket for services.)
• Method of payment (Students will be responsible for cost of titers. The best practice is to call the office prior to your appointment and verify the cost.)

List of local urgent cares that perform this service:

CityMD of Auburndale
191-20 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11366
Tel: 718-224-8855

Union Medical Urgent Care
186-06 Union Turnpike, Jamaica, NY 11366
Tel: 718-575-0974

CityMD of Fresh Meadows
61-18 188th St, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
Tel: 718-489-5003

CityMD of Jamaica
162-21 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432
Tel: 718-571-9116

Contact your primary care physician or an urgent care to get an appointment for a MMR or Meningitis vaccination.

Helpful tips:

If you go to an urgent care, you must be 18 years or older for an independent office visit. For students younger than 18 years, you will need to have a parent or legal guardian present.

Items to bring with you to your appointment:

• Valid form of identification, e.g., driver license, state ID, passport
• Insurance card (Uninsured students can pay out of pocket for services.)
• Method of payment (Students will be responsible for cost of vaccinations. The best practice is to call the office prior to your appointment and verify the cost.)

List of local urgent cares that perform this service:

CityMD of Auburndale
191-20 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11366
Tel: 718-224-8855

CityMD of Fresh Meadows
61-18 188th St, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
Tel: 718-489-5003

CityMD of Jamaica
162-21 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432
Tel: 718-571-9116

Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Clinic Veteran’s Administration
47-01 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside, NY 11104
Tel: 718-741-4800

If you are feeling sick and have a fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, headache, sore throat, sneezing, vomiting, or weakness, that are not better explained by another case, stay home and stay away from others (including people you live with who are not sick).

You may have a respiratory virus such as COVID-19, influenza (flu), or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These illnesses easily spread readily in crowded and/or poorly ventilated indoor settings such as classrooms, cafeterias, and restaurants.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, please follow these steps:

• If you live in University housing:
  • Remain in your residence hall room and CALL Student Health Services, so we can assist you.
• If you live off campus:
  • Please do not come to campus and consult a medical professional to determine the cause of your symptoms and begin treatment.

If you test positive for COVID-19, influenza, or RSV:

• Stay at home. Do not come to campus. If you live on campus, remain in your residence hall room.
• Call Student Health Services (718-990-6360) and inform them that you have tested positive for COVID-19, influenza, or RSV.
  • Student Health Services may suggest you come into the clinic to be further evaluated.
• Stay home as much as possible until your symptoms have improved for 24 hours, and you have not had a fever without the use of fever reducing medication (e.g., Tylenol, acetaminophen, Advil, ibuprofen) for 24 hours.
  • By waiting until your symptoms have improved for 24 hours without a fever, you reduce the risk of passing the infection to others.
• Monitor your symptoms. If your symptoms worsen and you have trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately.

 You can return to your 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).

Even after you start feeling better, there is still a chance of infecting others.

When you return to your normal activities:

Over the next 5 days, please take the following steps to reduce the chance of getting others sick:

• Improving indoor air quality by opening windows, using exhaust fans, or purifying indoor air, and considering gathering outdoors
• Wearing a well-fitting mask
• Maintaining physical distance from others
• Enhancing hygiene practices by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands frequently, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Dispose of used tissues properly, and if you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands
• Hand hygiene:
  • To prevent the spread of germs, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (to count 20 seconds, sing "Happy Birthday" beginning to end twice):
    • Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
    • After touching your mask
    • After leaving a public place
    • After touching objects or surfaces that others may have touched, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/screens
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.

Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.

If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities:

Stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: 

• Your symptoms are improving overall, and
• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). 

Then take added precautions for the next 5 days.

Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and mpox is rarely fatal. Mpox is not related to chickenpox.

If You Are Concerned That You Have Mpox

1. Stay home. Do not come to campus. Please consult with your health-care provider.
2. If you live in university housing:
   • Remain in your residence hall room, and call Student Health Services immediately at 718-990-6360. A health-care provider can discuss treatment options with you and the need for testing and isolation.
   • After hours or when Student Health Services is closed, please contact Residence Life at 718-990-2417 or via Public Safety after hours at 718-990-6281. Residence Life will assist you with moving to an isolation space and coordinating a medical appointment to discuss treatment options with you and the need for testing and isolation.

If You Are Eligible for a Mpox Vaccine

• You can make an appointment online by going to vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.
• You can make an appointment by phone by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692)