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.

When are COVID-19 patients most infectious?

Researchers estimate that people who get infected with the coronavirus can spread it to others 2 to 3 days before symptoms start and are most contagious 1 to 2 days before they feel sick.

Can I spread COVID-19 if I have no symptoms?

Some people with COVID-19 have no signs and symptoms but can still spread the virus to others.

Do COVID-19 and a common cold have a different incubation period?

While COVID-19 symptoms generally appear two to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, symptoms of a common cold usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.

How soon can you be around others after having COVID-19 symptoms?

You can be around others after:

10 days since symptoms first appeared and
24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving

What are some of the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.

Is coronavirus similar to the common cold?

Coronavirus is an entire family of viruses, which like the flu, mainly spreads through respiratory droplets. Four of these viruses are similar to the common cold in terms of symptoms and severity. The novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, is a potentially deadly virus that can lead to COVID-19.

Is runny nose a symptom of covid-19?

Tissues. COVID-19 symptoms can go beyond a cough—the CDC lists other possible symptoms of COVID-19 like congestion, runny nose and sore throat, among other symptoms. It’s always a good idea to have an extra box of tissues lying around to cover any sneezes or coughs.

How does COVID-19 spread differently than the flu?

While the virus that causes COVID-19 and flu viruses are thought to spread in similar ways, the virus that causes COVID-19 is generally more contagious than flu viruses. Also, COVID-19 has been observed to have more superspreading events than flu.

What are the common symptoms of a cold, flu, and COVID-19?

Fever, chills, body aches, and cough. All the symptoms seem the same for a cold, the flu, seasonal allergies, and coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

What are some of the early signs of the coronavirus?

The most important symptoms for earliest detection of covid-19 overall included loss of smell, chest pain, persistent cough, abdominal pain, blisters on the feet, eye soreness and unusual muscle pain.

Can I still have relationship during the coronavirus pandemic?

If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and relationship are more likely to be safe.

What are some of the similarities and differences between symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu?

Similarities:
For both COVID-19 and flu, 1 or more days can pass between when a person becomes infected and when he or she starts to experience illness symptoms.

Differences:
If a person has COVID-19, it could take them longer to experience symptoms than if they had flu.

Can you get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time?

Yes. It is possible have flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

How do allergy symptoms differ from COVID-19 symptoms?

Allergy symptoms typically include itchy eyes, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, sneezing. COVID-19 symptoms may include fever, cough, chills, body aches and loss of taste or smell.

Is COVID-19 more dangerous than the flu?

COVID-19 appears to be more contagious and to spread more quickly than the flu. Severe illness such as lung injury is more frequent with COVID-19 than with influenza.

What are some of the things you should do if you develop influenza or COVID-19 symptoms?

If you have any respiratory symptoms, stay home, stay away from other people and try to isolate yourself to prevent the spread to others. If you have access to testing, try to get tested within 48 hours of the start of your symptoms.

How long do COVID-19 symptoms last compared to seasonal allergies?

See full answer

COVID-19 is an acute illness. Patients will develop symptoms between 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the virus. Those symptoms will then last 10 to 14 days. Although symptoms may differ from person to person, they will appear in most people within the 14-day exposure window. This is true whether you have a moderate case or a severe case.

Allergies are more of chronic issue. They will generally manifest as mild symptoms and last for the allergy season, which is typically from April to mid-June. Compared to COVID-19, seasonal allergies, as well as allergies that occur perennially, have a much longer time course. In addition, patients will often be familiar with their typical seasonal allergy symptoms, as they often will be similar each spring.