I don’t want to give anyone COVID-19 (new coronavirus infectious disease) To a loved one (or someone). However, determining how long it will be contagious is not an exact science as it can vary from person to person.
As such, it may be difficult to determine if you are endangering others. There are rules you can do and things you should know.
Here, experts share guidelines on how long COVID-19 can spread and when it’s most contagious, including the strains that currently predominate.
Most people are contagious for about 10 days.
It is not always clear how long a person is contagious. Like many things with COVID-19the exact timeline depends on many factors, said Dr. Stuart RayProfessor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.
But Ray said the conventional wisdom is that people are contagious and must be quarantined for a full five days after symptoms begin, counting the first day of symptoms as day zero. increase.
However, please note that the issue persists after 5 days.
“After that, people often say that you should wear a mask to protect others, because it’s hard to pinpoint how long you’ve been infected,” Ray said.
“That period often lasts up to 10 days,” he added. The first day of symptoms is counted as day zero.
Simply put, you are contagious for about 10 days after symptoms begin. Quarantine for her first 5 days and at least he has to wear a mask from day 6 until he has day 10.
But you are most contagious at certain points.
The most contagious phase begins about 48 hours before testing positive and ends 5 days after symptoms begin. Dr. Neha BiasFamily Physician, Cleveland Clinic, OhioShe called this “the period of maximum contagion”.
Therefore, you should be especially careful during this stage, but the first 48 hours are very tricky because it is difficult to tell if you have the disease before symptoms appear.
On the other hand, the time from infection to symptoms getting shorter and shorter As COVID-19 mutates, omicron subvariants like XBB (currently the dominant strain in the US) may spread faster.
If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you can test yourself before you develop symptoms. Or, if you recently attended a crowded indoor event, you can take the test a few days later.
Also, remember that you can spread COVID-19 later in your illness. That’s why it’s important to wear a mask for at least 10 days.
If you still have symptoms after 10 days, you may be spreading the virus.
Anyone symptoms It is likely that it persists beyond 10 days and those who continue to test positive pass the virus on to others. If you are like that, wear a mask and avoid indoors and events, Ray said.
“MeAre you immunocompromised or really [severe] COVID infection … can be contagious for 20 days after symptoms start,” he added. Bias.
Such contagiousness rarely lasts long, she stressed.
An at-home antigen test is a good way to determine if you are contagious.
It’s not uncommon to have a positive laboratory test for many weeks after a COVID-19 infection, but “it’s very rare to have a positive antigen test for many weeks,” Ray said.
Antigen tests are the type you get from pharmacies (from brands like iHealth) or from governments (still shipping). free testby the way).
Ray added that a positive antigen test correlates with the virus’s growth and ability to infect. So, if the antigen test is positive, you may have the infection.
And it works vice versa.
“Generally, if your symptoms are completely gone and your test results are negative, you’re unlikely to get it,” Ray said.
If you want to be more cautious, you can take two COVID tests.
If it’s been 10 days and you haven’t had any symptoms, but you’re worried about the possibility of spreading the virus to your loved ones, there are a few things you can do.
“You can take two COVID tests 48 hours apart,” says Vyas. “If both are negative, [be] Pretty sure you are no longer contagious. ”
She added that most people don’t need to do this as long as they follow the 10-day guidance.
If you live in a house with other people, you should do what you can to protect them.
“If possible, especially during these five days, contagious people should use separate bedrooms and bathrooms. [after symptoms begin],” Said Dr. Ali KhanChief Medical Officer oak street health.
If that is not possible, wear a tight-fitting mask (ideally N95 or KN95) around other people in your home.
Khan added that infected people should bring their own utensils and sheets and avoid high-touch items.
“Remember to wash your hands often,” Khan said — and this applies even to those who aren’t infected.
Finally, stay up to date on COVID-19 boosters to protect both yourself and your loved ones.
“It’s never too late to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or the flu, because even if you do get sick, it can keep severe symptoms at bay,” Khan said.
