Occupational Health

Infectious Diseases Post Exposure

Infectious Diseases Post Exposure FAQ

Here are some helpful guidelines regarding what you should do if you have been exposed to a patient with an infectious disease (e.g. scabies, tuberculosis, shingles, measles, etc.).

You need to determine if you did meet the exposure criteria. These details were included in the email sent from Infection Prevention team to your immediate supervisor. If you did not receive an email, please report the exposure to your immediate supervisor.

  • Make sure your immediate supervisor has placed your name and Employee ID number on the staff exposure list that they will send to Occupational Health (OH).
  • If you are not sure, discuss concerns with your immediate supervisor and review the exposure criteria. Have them include your name on the staff exposure list as precaution.
  • Occupational Health team will review your medical record and contact you if further follow up is needed. Do not report to OH clinic until instructed to do so by an OH team member.

No, allow OH time to review your health record to determine if further follow up is needed (such as blood draw or treatment). Do not report to OH until contacted to do so by an OH team member.

  • YES – meningococcal meningitis (Neisseria meningitidis): Staff with a confirmed exposure to meningococcal meningitis are recommended to receive chemoprophylaxis (medications) within 24 hours of exposure. If this applies to you, report to the Occupational Health clinic during open hours. If this is after hours, please report to the nearest urgent care or emergency room as soon as possible for meningitis chemoprophylaxis (medications).Please see our webpage for hours of operation.
  • YES, measles: Staff with a confirmed exposure to measles without proof of immunity ) are recommended to receive chemoprophylaxis (immunization) within 72 hours of exposure. If this applies to you, report to the Occupational Health clinic during open hours. If this is after hours, please report to the nearest urgent care or emergency room for measles exposure management. Please see our webpage for hours of operation.
    • Staff who are unsure of immunity, must isolate at home until cleared by Occupational Health to return to work.
    • Isolate at home until you receive further instructions from Occupational Health on when you may return to work.