How long does it take for symptoms to appear after exposure to COVID-19?

On average, symptoms showed up in the newly infected person about 5.6 days after contact. Rarely, symptoms appeared as soon as 2 days after exposure. Most people with symptoms had them by day 12. And most of the other ill people were sick by day 14.

How long does it take for the COVID-19 symptoms to start showing?

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

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.

What are some of the first symptoms of COVID-19?

Early symptoms reported by some people include fatigue, headache, sore throat or fever. Others experience a loss of smell or taste. COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are mild at first, but then become more intense over five to seven days, with worsening cough and shortness of breath.

Can you be infectious before starting to develop COVID-19 symptoms?

"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.

How long can you test positive after a COVID-19 test?

How long is COVID-19 contagious?

Here's what we know from studies of prior variants, including Delta: On average, people can begin spreading the virus 2-3 days before their symptoms begin, but infectiousness peaks 1 day before their symptoms begin. On average, people can continue to spread the virus another 8 days after their symptoms began.

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.

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.

Can I have COVID-19 if I have fever?

If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.

What are some examples of mild illness of the coronavirus disease?

Mild Illness: Individuals who have any of the various signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, malaise, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell) but who do not have shortness of breath, dyspnea, or abnormal chest imaging.

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.

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.

Should I Get Tested for COVID-19?

If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19, stay home and call your healthcare provider.

What is the definition of fever during the COVID-19 pandemic?

CDC considers a person to have a fever when he or she has a measured temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or greater, or feels warm to the touch, or gives a history of feeling feverish.

Can you have COVID-19 without a fever?

Yes, you can have Covid (coronavirus) without a fever or with a very low-grade fever that is hardly noticeable, particularly with the Omicron variant. It is also possible to have Covid-19 with no symptoms at all and the only way you would know this is if you took a Covid-19 test.

What is considered a fever in the context of the COVID-19 screening?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists fever as one criterion for screening for COVID-19 and considers a person to have a fever if their temperature registers 100.4 or higher -- meaning it would be almost 2 degrees above what's considered an average “normal” temperature of 98.6 degrees.

What medication should I take for mild COVID-19 symptoms?

If you are worried about your symptoms, the Coronavirus Self-Checker can assist in the decision to seek care. You can treat symptoms with over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), to help you feel better. Learn more about what to do if you are sick.

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.

Should I go to the hospital if I have mild COVID-19 symptoms?

Mild COVID-19 cases still can make you feel lousy. But you should be able to rest at home and recover fully without a trip to the hospital.

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.

How long do I need to stay isolated if I test positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive, you should isolate for at least 5 days from the date of your positive test (if you do not have symptoms). If you do develop COVID-19 symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days from the date your symptoms began (the date the symptoms started is day 0).

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.

Is someone with COVID-19 still contagious after recovering?

The results, the team said, may indicate that a large number of people with COVID-19 are still likely contagious after the first five days of their illness, even if they feel fully recovered.