Am I still contagious after 10 days if I still have symptoms?
Infectiousness commonly begins to decrease after day 5 for most adults, and after day 3 if you are under 18. However, you might still spread the virus for up to 10 days from the start of infection. Most people are no longer infectious after day 10.
What is the current isolation advice?
If you have a positive test COVID-19 test result but are asymptomatic or have mild COVID-19 symptoms, it is recommended that you should try to isolate at home for 5 days. Guidance is similar for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
o If asymptomatic -> Day 0 = day test taken
o If symptomatic -> Day 0 = day symptoms started
If you feel unwell and think that you might have COVID-19 but have not yet got your test results back, you should still try to isolate. People are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.
How can I avoid spreading COVID-19 to others during this time?
- Try to stay at home and try to keep separate from others, particularly older people or those with underlying health conditions
- Maximise ventilation at home (moving air in/out/around a room) including spending time outside– this helps to prevent virus particles building up
- Wear a well-fitting, high quality face or surgical mask if you must have contact with others
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or hand sanitised for >20 seconds after
What do I do after day 5?
After day 5 you can stop isolation if:
-
- you were asymptomatic OR
- you had mild symptoms but your symptoms are improving and your fever has resolved for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication such as paracetamol)
It is still advised to wear a high quality mask around others at home and in public on days 6-10 to help to reduce the risk of getting others sick after recovering from COVID-19.
Some people are at higher risk of becoming severely unwell with COVID-19. It is important to continue to avoid contact with anyone in this position if possible up to day 10.
Most people are no longer infectious after day 10.
Is this the same if I had moderate or severe COVID?
No.
- Moderate COVID = breathing difficulties due to COVID-19
- Severe = hospitalised due to COVID-19 or underlying immune weakness
If you meet either of these criteria, the guidance is that you isolate until at least day 10. If you had severe COVID- it is possible that you might still be infectious after 10 days and it is advised that you extend isolation up to 20 days and discuss with your doctor before ending isolation.
Who is at higher risk of becoming severely unwell from COVID-19 and other respiratory infections?
Many factors affect this but key ones include:
- older people
- pregnant people
- unvaccinated people
- those with a weakened immune system
Am I eligible for an autumn COVID-19 booster?
