After exposure to the coronavirus, the question of “how long after I have symptoms” is important to ask yourself. The CDC guidelines have changed several times, the most recent change being announced late last year. Vaccination is still the best way to protect yourself from severe illness and death from this virus, but your health care provider may recommend quarantine or isolation for you. Consult your local health officials to find out the latest guidelines.
The CDC recommends that you get tested as soon as you suspect you may have been exposed to the coronavirus. Usually, you should get tested daily until you have cured yourself, but there are times when you are unable to get tested every day. In those instances, you can opt to undergo a Rapid Test. The labs BioReference offer rapid testing in New York and New Jersey have the fastest turnaround time.
Testing for COVID is important for unvaccinated people and those who are partially vaccinated. The CDC recommends getting tested 48 to 72 hours after exposure, although you should get a test even if you aren’t ill. In fact, 59% of COVID transmission is done by people who don’t have symptoms. Fortunately, COVID vaccination is very effective, but testing is the only way to be sure you are vaccinated and to avoid any complications.
When should I get tested for COVID-19? The CDC has updated their guidelines, and you should be tested for COVID 19 as soon as you suspect you have been exposed to it. You should isolate yourself at home for at least five days. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you should continue to stay home for at least 5 days. The next step after you’re positive is to continue wearing a face mask and avoiding close contact with those around you until your symptoms are gone.
While it’s important to get tested as soon as possible after being exposed to COVID, you can delay testing until you are 100% sure you’ve been exposed to the virus. Ideally, you should be tested within five days after being exposed. However, the FDA warns against rapid tests for the three PCR variants. These tests are not effective as a first step in removing you from quarantine and isolation.
The incubation period for COVID is two to 14 days, but you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. The CDC recommends quarantine for at least five days if you’re not vaccinated. However, you can opt for a five-day period for those who have been boosted. You should also use a face mask for at least five days after exposure.
The CDC recommends avoiding close contact with people infected with COVID-19. If you have close contact with a person who has the virus, you should use gloves and keep your hands away from your body. After removing gloves, clean your hands thoroughly and dispose of them in a sealed, labelled container. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can also be used.