When do Covid symptoms start?

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: Fever or chills.
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How long does it take for COVID-19 symptoms to start showing?

People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have fever, cough, or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.
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What are the symptoms of the COVID-19?

Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Common symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.

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How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?

- The incubation period for COVID-19. Given that the incubation period can be up to 14 days, CDC recommends conducting screening testing at least weekly.
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When should you take a COVID-19 test after exposure?


YES: Get tested at least 5 days after exposure. Follow quarantine guidance while waiting to test.

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Who is considered a close contact to someone with COVID-19?


For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was less than 6 feet away from you for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. An infected person can transmit SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, starting 48 hours (2 days) before they have symptoms or before they were tested.

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What does it mean if I test negative for COVID-19?

A negative test result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in your sample. However, it is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID- 19. You might test negative if the sample was collected early during your infection.

You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after your sample was collected and then have become infected. In particular, people infected with COVID-19 but who have no symptoms may not shed enough virus to trigger a positive test. This means that you could possibly still have COVID-19 even though the test result is negative.

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Are you still contagious 10 days after the first day of COVID-19 symptoms?

So, there is potential for people to be infectious beyond their seven-day isolation if they are still symptomatic. After ten days, most people are not infectious. Multiple studies have shown there is very little, if any, transmission after day ten, regardless of the variant.
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How long are you contagious after being sick with COVID-19?


Most people with COVID-19 are no longer contagious 5 days after they first have symptoms and have been fever-free for at least three days.

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What do I do if I have mild symptoms of COVID-19?

If you have milder symptoms like a fever, shortness of breath, or coughing: Stay home unless you need medical care. If you do need to go in, call your doctor or hospital first for guidance. Tell your doctor about your illness.
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Can I have COVID-19 if I have fever?

If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.
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What can you take to lessen the mild COVID-19 symptoms at home?


Using over-the-counter medications when necessary. If you have a high fever, you can take a fever reducer, such as acetaminophen, to help bring it down. If you have body aches, a sore throat or cough, a pain reliever can help lessen the discomfort these symptoms can bring.

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Is COVID-19 infectious after 7 days?

Most people with COVID-19 are no longer contagious 5 days after they first have symptoms and have been fever-free for at least three days.
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Can I have COVID-19 if I have no symptoms?


It is good that you have not noticed any symptoms. It can take between 1–14 days for COVID-19 symptoms to show up, and in some instances, people with COVID-19 do not show any obvious symptoms, but they can still spread the virus.

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How long should I stay in home isolation if I have a COVID-19 infection?


Positive. The test detected the virus and you have an infection. Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.

Tell your close contacts. Wear a well-fitted mask when around others. If available, a N95 or KN95 respirator is recommended. Watch for symptoms.

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Are recovered persons with persistent positive test of COVID-19 infectious to others?

Persons who have tested persistently or recurrently positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA have, in some cases, had their signs and symptoms of COVID-19 improve. When viral isolation in tissue culture has been attempted in such persons in South Korea and the United States, live virus has not been isolated. There is no evidence to date that clinically recovered persons with persistent or recurrent detection of viral RNA have transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to others.

Despite these observations, it’s not possible to conclude that all persons with persistent or recurrent detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA are no longer infectious. There is no firm evidence that the antibodies that develop in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection are protective. If these antibodies are protective, it’s not known what antibody levels are needed to protect against reinfection.

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How often can you take Paxlovid?

“With Paxlovid, you take three pills, twice a day, for a total of five days," says Rachel Kenney, a pharmacist at Henry Ford Health. "It helps your body fight off the virus, preventing it from replicating before it becomes serious.”
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How long does isolation take after COVID-19 infection if you were severely ill or have a weakened immune system?

CDC recommends an isolation period of at least 10 and up to 20 days for people who were severely ill with COVID-19 and for people with weakened immune systems. Consult with your healthcare provider about when you can resume being around other people.
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How long does it take to recover from COVID-19?

Fortunately, people who have mild to moderate symptoms typically recover in a few days or weeks.
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Am I infectious if I have a positive COVID-19 test result?

These people who have a positive test result should be considered infectious and remain isolated until they again meet criteria for discontinuation of isolation or of transmission-based precautions. Contact tracing during the person's second episode of symptoms is warranted.
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What should I do if I still have symptoms after a negative COVID-19 test result?

If you use an at-home test that comes back negative, and you do have symptoms that persist or get worse, it's a good idea to get a lab-based PCR test for COVID-19 and influenza. You also should stay home and isolate until you get the PCR test results back. The antigen test may have missed an early infection.
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Can a person test negative and later test positive for COVID-19?


It is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID- 19. This means that you could possibly still have COVID- 19 even though the test is negative. The amount of antigen in a sample may decrease the longer you have symptoms of infection.

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What are consequences of a false negative COVID-19 test?

Risks to a patient of a false negative test result include: delayed or lack of supportive treatment, lack of monitoring of infected individuals and their household or other close contacts for symptoms resulting in increased risk of spread of COVID-19 within the community, or other unintended adverse events.
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Do I have to quarantine if I have been exposed to COVID-19?


If you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should quarantine if you are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. This includes people who are not vaccinated.

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What are the CDC recommendations for people exposed to COVID-19?


Anyone who tests positive or has symptoms should follow CDC recommendations for isolation to stay home from their school or ECE program. People who come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should follow CDC recommendations to quarantine, get tested, and wear a well-fitting mask.

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