How to Deal With COVID-19 Exposure and Sickness

Read on for answers to these questions which are, as always, checked by a team of clinicians and epidemiologists, then checked against CDC recommendations etc. We only publish information that’s been rigorously scientifically vetted.

I’m feeling sick (regardless of whether I’ve had known contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19)

• Should I get a COVID test? Yes, whether you’re vaccinated or not, you should get tested if you’re experiencing COVID-like symptoms (loss of taste and/or smell, fever, dry cough or any other respiratory symptoms). Even if this isn’t COVID-19, staying home and keeping your distance from others are the surest ways to stop the spread. If there’s someone in your household who’s asymptomatic and willing to pop down to your nearest pharmacy to buy a rapid test, do that. If that’s not possible, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has a great tool to find the nearest Covid testing site near you.

• Should I isolate myself? You should stay home until you’ve received a negative test. If your test comes back positive, batten down the hatches. You should stay home until it’s been at least 5 full days since symptoms first appeared. If you can’t remember when symptoms first started, play it safe and stay home until it’s been 5 days since you received your positive test result. (Know that we start counting “Day 0” on the first day of symptoms or of a positive test, whichever was first.) If after 5 full days, your symptoms are improving and you're fever-free for 24 hours (without meds), you can end quarantine. But! Continue wearing a mask for 5 more days.
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• If you decide not to get tested, you can end isolation when you meet ALL of the following:
  *It’s been 5 full days since your symptoms first appeared,
  *You’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the help of medication, AND
  *Your symptoms are improving (aside from loss of taste/smell - this can take a while to resolve)

Staying home until symptoms subside is the best way to protect your community. Plus, a little couch R&R and food delivery never hurt anyone.

I was in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID (but I’m not symptomatic)

Whether or not you are vaccinated, or had a recent COVID infection, the same rules apply!

• Should I get a COVID test? Yup, but you should wait 3-5 days after the exposure notice / after being in contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19. This is because it takes your body a few days post-exposure to shed enough of the virus to be detectable.

• In the meantime, should I quarantine? No, you don’t need to quarantine. However, when you’re in indoor, public spaces you should wear a mask. If you’re living with someone who’s immunocompromised, wear a mask around them and keep your distance as well. You can stop taking extra precautions when you receive your (hopefully) negative test or 10 days have passed since your exposure.
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I tested positive for COVID

• Should I isolate myself, even if I’m feeling fine? Yes. You should stay home until it’s been at least 5 full days since you received your positive test result, assuming symptoms have improved and you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without the help of medication. 
  
  And as above, once your isolation period ends, you need to continue wearing a mask around others for 5 full days. Including those in your household (and yes, this a huge pain in the butt, Nurse Blake can attest to this…).

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