COVID-19 cases are rising, and with them the risk of becoming affected or transmitting the virus to others. As such, it’s important to understand how long a person is contagious and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate from others for at least five days. The duration of isolation depends on whether symptoms are present or not, and the individual’s vaccination status.
Regardless of vaccination status, those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate from others for at least five days after the day of their positive test result. If symptoms arise within 10 days of the test, the clock restarts at day zero on the day the symptoms begin.
For those who have symptoms, the number of days for isolation begins on the day of symptom onset. Those with mild symptoms should stay in isolation until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Those with more moderate or severe symptoms may need to wait until day 10. Those with mild symptoms that are not improving should also wait until their symptoms improve as well as being fever-free for 24 hours.
Once isolation ends, those who test positive should continue to avoid people and use a face mask through day 10. It is also recommended to consult your doctor before ending isolation if your illness was more severe.
It is important to take a COVID-test as soon as possible if you experience symptoms. According to the CDC, negative results from an antigen test should be followed up with another antigen test 48 hours later or a PCR test as soon as possible. Those who haven’t had symptoms but may have been exposed to the virus should wait five days after exposure to take a test.
At-home test kits may also be of use, however, it is important to check their expiration dates. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have extended the expiration dates of many popular products, so they may still be safe to use. You can check expiration dates of each brand on the FDA’s website.
COVID-19 can be contagious for up to 10 days, so it is important to seek medical advice if your symptoms do not improve or the virus is affecting your daily life. Furthermore, understanding disease transmission and isolation periods can help keep you and your loved ones safe from the virus.
