How long are you contagious for with COVID?

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.

How long are you contagious if you test positive for COVID-19?

"A person with COVID-19 is considered infectious starting two days before they develop symptoms, or two days before the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms," according to the CDC. Regardless of symptoms, those who test positive are advised to take specific precautions for at least 10 days.

When do you start being contagious with COVID-19?

A person with COVID-19 is considered infectious starting 2 days before they develop symptoms, or 2 days before the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms.

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.

What is the incubation period for COVID-19?

People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of issues from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

COVID-19: From Exposure to Feeling Better

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.

Is presymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 possible?

The possibility of presymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 increases the challenges of COVID-19 containment measures, which are predicated on early detection and isolation of symptomatic persons.

How long after COVID-19 isolation should I wear a mask?

During the 10 days after infection, persons might be infectious to others and are recommended to wear a well-fitting mask when around others, and to avoid contact with those at elevated risk for severe disease, even if ending isolation after 5 days.

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.

How long should I quarantine after COVID-19 exposure if I am vaccinated?

Quarantine: If you have received all vaccine and booster doses recommended by CDC, you do not need to quarantine. You should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of your last close contact with someone with COVID-19 (the date of last close contact is considered day 0).

When should you take a COVID-19 test if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19?

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, test yourself at least 5 days after your exposure. If you test negative for COVID-19, consider testing again 1 to 2 days after your first test.

If you are going to an indoor event or a gathering, test yourself immediately before or as close to the time of the event as possible. This is especially important before gathering with individuals at risk of severe disease, older adults, those who are immunocompromised, or people who are not up to date on their COVID

What should I do if I've been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 if my vaccine is not up-to-date?

Stay home and quarantine for at least 5 full days. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. Do not travel. Even if you don't develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

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.

What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.

Tell your close contacts.

Wear a well-fitting mask when around others. If available, a N95 or KN95 respirator is recommended.

Watch for symptoms.If you have any emergency warning signs, seek emergency care immediately.

Tell your healthcare provider.

Can patients who have recovered from COVID-19 continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens?

• Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens for up to 3 months after illness onset in concentrations considerably lower than during illness; however, replication-competent virus has not been reliably recovered and infectiousness is unlikely.

How long are immunocompromised people contagious during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Some severely immunocompromised persons with COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 20 days after their symptoms began and require additional SARS-CoV-2 testing and consultation with infectious diseases specialists and infection control experts.

How long does it usually take for your body to build up immunity after having a full specific COVID-19 vaccination scheme?

It takes a couple of weeks for your body to build immunity after vaccination.

What is the recovery time for COVID-19 patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?

Most people who survive ARDS go on to recover their normal or close to normal lung function within six months to a year. Others may not do as well, particularly if their illness was caused by severe lung damage or their treatment entailed long-term use of a ventilator.

Should I wear a mask after a COVID-19 isolation in the US?

Yes. After the end of the 5-day quarantine or isolation period, continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10). If you are unable to wear a mask when around others, you should continue to isolate for 10 days. Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants, bars, and some gyms, until 10 days after the start of quarantine or isolation.

Can I remove my mask in public places after the end of isolation/quarantine for COVID-19?

No. After your 5 days of quarantine or isolation end, you should continue to wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home and in public for 5 days. Refer to current CDC guidance for mask wear to determine what to do after the 10-day period is complete.

Can I stop wearing a face mask and social distancing after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

Not yet. We don’t know how effective the vaccine is going to be, or how many people are going to receive it. The recommendation is continue to practice social distancing, wear a face mask, and really good hand-washing. We’re going to have to do this for a little while longer.

What does presymptomatic mean in relation to COVID-19?

Presymptomatic means you're infected, and you're shedding the virus. But you don't yet have symptoms, which you ultimately develop. Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that you may be most contagious in the presymptomatic stage before you have any symptoms.

What is the difference between presymptomatic and asymptomatic cases of COVID-19?

A presymptomatic case of COVID-19 is an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2 who has not yet exhibited symptoms at the time of testing but who later exhibits symptoms during the course of the infection.

An asymptomatic case is an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2 who does not exhibit symptoms at any time during the course of infection.

What is a pre-symptomatic case of COVID-19?

A pre-symptomatic case of COVID-19 is an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2 who has not exhibited symptoms at the time of testing, but who later exhibits symptoms during the course of the infection.

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.