You are generally contagious with COVID-19 for 5 to 10 days after symptoms begin. You are most infectious 1–2 days before symptoms start and during the first 3–5 days of illness. While many people are no longer infectious after 5 days, others can remain contagious for up to 10 days or longer.

Key Contagion and Isolation Guidelines:

When to Isolate: You can spread the virus 1–2 days before symptoms appear and throughout the symptomatic period.

Ending Isolation: You can generally return to normal activities when your symptoms improve and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication).

High-Risk Individuals: Those with severe illness or weakened immune systems may remain contagious for 10–20+ days.

Asymptomatic: Even if you have no symptoms, you can still transmit the virus.

Precautions: If you must interact with others, wear a high-quality mask, especially during the first 10 days.