If you have symptoms, test immediately, and then test again per the instructions if your first result is negative. If you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and you do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may have an inaccurate result.
That's why it makes sense to wait to take a test either until you have symptoms or until about five days after you've been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Taking a test immediately after exposure doesn't do much good.
If possible, get tested five days after exposure. If you are not boosted or are unvaccinated, stay home for five days. Then, wear a mask around others for five more days. If staying home isn't possible, wear a mask for 10 days.
How To Tell You Might Have COVID Without a Test? Symptoms lingered. A cold lasts a few days, but this virus can plague you for two weeks or more. Severe symptoms. Colds don't typically bring a fever and breathing trouble. Eye trouble. Heart flutters. Exhaustion. Sensory disruption. Stomach issues.
People with COVID-19 can be infectious from 1–2 days before and up to 8–10 days after symptoms begin. The majority of transmission appears to occur during the early periods of infection, particularly in the 1–2 days before symptoms start and within the first few days of symptom onset.
“In the early days of the pandemic, it was recommended to isolate for 10 days after having a positive COVID test. And then a few years ago, the CDC changed its recommendation: you could come out of isolation five days after receiving a positive test and wear a mask for the additional five days.”
You are considered contagious from two days before your symptoms begin until 10 days after your symptoms began. If you have no symptoms, you are considered contagious beginning two days before your test sample was collected and until 10 days after your test sample was collected.
Updated Guidance: The updated Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends that people stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both their symptoms are getting better overall, and they have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
Recommendations for people who test positive Day 0 is symptom onset date or positive test date. Avoid contact with people at higher-risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days.
Taking Care of Yourself at Home Contact your healthcare provider. Tell them you tested positive for COVID-19 and are home recovering. Take it easy. Rest up and stay hydrated. Monitor your symptoms. Report worsening symptoms to your healthcare provider.