The COVID-19 infectious period can vary, but most people are considered infectious from 48 hours before their symptoms start and can be infectious for up to 10 days.
What you need to know
COVID-19 can spread quickly and is more contagious than the flu. The COVID-19 virus is passed on by coughing, or by contact with hands, surfaces or objects that are contaminated with the virus.
If you have COVID-19, you should stay at home until your acute symptoms have gone.
Avoid high-risk places, such as hospitals and aged-care and disability-care centres, until at least 7 days since you tested positive and until you are well.
While you have symptoms, and for up to 10 days since symptoms began, keep your distance from others, including people at high risk of severe disease. Wear a face mask when you leave your home, wash your hands, and cover your mouth with your elbow if you cough.
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FAQs
Quick read: Your infectious period
When are you no longer contagious with COVID-19? ›
However, individuals are typically contagious for about 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For those with mild to moderate symptoms, this period can be shorter, often around 5-7 days. For people with severe symptoms or those with a weakened immune system, contagiousness can last longer, potentially up to 20 days.
When does the infectious period end for COVID-19? ›
As a general rule, most people who get COVID-19 are no longer contagious 10 days after the appearance of symptoms or after testing positive for the virus.3 While there is significant variation in the risk of transmission, most cases follow the same general timeline once symptoms develop.
How long will I test positive for COVID after having it? ›
After a positive test result, you may continue to test positive for some time. Some tests, especially PCR tests, may continue to show a positive result for up to 90 days. Reinfections can occur within 90 days, which can make it hard to know if a positive test indicates a new infection.
What is the incubation period of COVID-19 infect others? ›
The time period in which an individual with COVID-19 is infectious remains uncertain. A person may be infectious for up to 3 days before showing symptoms (pre-symptomatic infectiousness). Viral RNA levels appear to be highest just before or soon after symptom onset.
How long should a COVID positive person stay away from others? ›
Consider staying away from people at high risk of getting very sick until: 10 days have passed since your symptoms started, 10 days have passed since you tested positive (if you never developed symptoms), or. You test negative for COVID-19 with an antigen test (such as an at-home test)
What does a very faint COVID line mean? ›
What does a faint line on a COVID test mean? It's probably not what you're hoping to hear, but a faint line on a COVID test means you have COVID-19. “A faint line is a positive test result,” says infectious disease expert Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
When is it safe to go out after COVID? ›
You should: Stay home for 5 days. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you may leave your house. You should continue to isolate until you are fever free for.
When should I test again after testing positive for COVID-19? ›
If your antigen test (such as an at-home test) result is positive, you may still be infectious. Continue wearing a mask and wait at least one day before taking another test.
How long is COVID-19 contagious for in isolation? ›
For how long am I infectious? If you have COVID-19, you can still pass on the illness from 48 hours before your symptoms develop. You may still be infectious for as long as you have acute respiratory or flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose and sore throat.
If you still test positive on or after Day 5 or if you don't test, isolate for 10 full days, and until you don't have a fever. It is strongly recommended that you wear a well-fitting mask around others – especially when indoors – for 10 days, even if you stop isolating earlier.
Can I go out if I have COVID? ›
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms and either: have a high temperature. do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities.
Does a negative COVID test mean you are not contagious? ›
Q: Does a negative rapid antigen test rule out infection or mean a patient cannot be contagious? A: If a person has symptoms or suspects they have infection, a negative antigen test does not rule out the possibility they could be infected and contagious.
How to get rid of COVID fast? ›
Many people with COVID-19 get better with rest, fluids and treatment for their symptoms. Medicine you can get without a prescription can help. Some examples are: Fever reducers.
What does the very beginning of COVID feel like? ›
Fever or chills. Cough. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Fatigue.
How long after exposure to COVID will you test positive? ›
The best time to test—and to ensure that you're going to get an accurate result—is around five days after you've been exposed to the virus, or when you first start experiencing symptoms, explained Dr.
What if I still test positive for COVID after 14 days? ›
The Northwestern Medicine Neuro COVID-19 research team discovered that, compared to those who did not continue to test positive for COVID-19, patients who continued to test positive more than 14 days after their initial positive test were: More likely to experience delirium, or confused thinking and decreased awareness.
