How long do recovered COVID-19 patients continue to shed the virus?
Recovered persons can continue to shed detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens for up to 3 months after illness onset, albeit at concentrations considerably lower than during illness, in ranges where replication-competent virus has not been reliably recovered and infectiousness is unlikely.
What is the average recovery time for COVID-19?
Most people feel better within two or three weeks of COVID-19 infection. Once it’s been 10 days since coronavirus symptoms first appeared and you don’t have symptoms anymore, the CDC suggests most people are no longer able to infect others and may end isolation.
How long do you stay contagious after testing positive for COVID-19?
If someone is asymptomatic or their symptoms go away, it’s possible to remain contagious for at least 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19. People who are hospitalized with severe disease and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for 20 days or longer.
How long can people with COVID-19 be infectious for?
Available data indicate that persons with mild to moderate COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset. Persons with more severe to critical illness or severe immunocompromise likely remain infectious no longer than 20 days after symptom onset.
How long will immunocompromised people with COVID-19 remain infectious?
Patients who are severely immunocompromised may produce replication-competent virus beyond 20 days after symptom onset or, for those who were asymptomatic throughout their infection, the date of their first positive viral test. Consultation with infectious diseases specialists is recommended.
Am I infectious if I have a positive COVID-19 test result?
These people who have a positive test result should be considered infectious and remain isolated until they again meet criteria for discontinuation of isolation or of transmission-based precautions. Contact tracing during the person’s second episode of symptoms is warranted.
Do healthy adults under age 65 need to worry about COVID-19?
Yes, they do. Although the risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 increases steadily with age, younger people can get sick enough from the disease to require hospitalization. And certain underlying medical conditions may increase the risk of serious COVID-19 for individuals of any age.
Should I avoid indoor spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Avoid indoor spaces that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors as much as possible. If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.
Should I avoid gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- In general, interacting with more people, especially closely and for longer times, increases risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.
- Avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.