How long after testing positive for COVID-19 are you contagious?
What does a positive COVID-19 antigen test result mean?
Positive test results using a viral test (NAAT or antigen) in persons with signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 indicate that the person has COVID-19, independent of vaccination status of the person.
What does it mean if you tested positive for COVID-19?
With a confirmed positive COVID-19 test, you are most likely being sent home to rest, stay away from others, and recover. This is the case for more than 95% of people, as their symptoms do not require hospitalization. Some people have a higher risk for complications and should be monitored extra closely.
What is the difference between SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19?
Are COVID-19 rapid antigen tests accurate if no symptoms are present?
Antigen tests are still fairly accurate, particularly when someone is experiencing symptoms and their viral load is very high. However, they can be less accurate when someone has a lower viral load, such as in someone without symptoms. This could lead to false negative test results.
What is the accuracy of the COVID-19 antigen test?
If possible, taking an at-home rapid COVID-19 test the day of the event is ideal. While these tests aren’t 100% accurate, a negative result strongly suggests that you’re not contagious at that particular time.
What are the guidelines for people who test positive for COVID-19?
Stay home, except to get needed medical care. Stay home from work and school, and avoid other public places including the store. If you must go out, avoid public transportation or ridesharing/taxis. Stay far away (6 feet or more) from other people. Wear a mask at all times and wash or sanitize your hands often.
How long is someone with COVID-19 infectious?
Infectiousness peaks around one day before symptom onset and declines within a week of symptom onset, with an average period of infectiousness and risk of transmission between 2-3 days before and 8 days after symptom onset.
How long does immunity last after COVID-19 infection?
Early on, researchers thought that natural immunity to COVID-19 only lasted for about 2 to 3 months before fading. As the pandemic continued, experts started finding evidence that natural immunity could last for almost a year after infection. But along came the Omicron variant — and that’s changed everything.