| COVID-19 is spread by breathing in air that has small droplets and particles that contain the virus. It can also be spread by these droplets and particles landing in someone’s eyes, nose, or mouth. In some circumstances, the infected person may contaminate surfaces they touch, but this is uncommon. Show
Exposure risksCertain factors can increase or decrease your risk of being exposed to COVID-19. These include:
What to do if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19*
If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 isolate immediately. Learn about what to do on VDH’s If you are sick webpage. *This guidance does not apply to healthcare or high-risk congregate settings. Please refer to the following sites for more information: As cases of the coronavirus climb in Illinois and across the country due in part to the now-dominant BA.2 omicron subvariant, the risk for being exposed to someone with COVID is also increasing. But when might symptoms first appear following a potential exposure? Some experts say the omicron variant "sped up" timing for what many once knew with COVID, including the incubation period, or the time between exposure and the start of symptoms. Late last year, guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surrounding quarantine and isolation were updated to reflect that change. How Long After COVID Exposure Could Symptoms Appear?According to the CDC, COVID symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after someone is exposed. Get Chicago local news, weather forecasts, sports and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Chicago newsletters. But guidelines state those who were exposed should watch for symptoms until at least 10 days after the last close contact with someone who had COVID. The CDC says that its guidelines were updated to reflect growing evidence that suggests transmission of COVID-19 often occurs one to two days before the onset of symptoms and during the two to three days afterward. Anyone with symptoms should get tested. Local Chicago Forecast 6 hours ago Rain Turns to Snow Overnight, with Waves of Snow Showers Expected in Coming DaysLincoln Park 7 hours ago Woman Robbed at Gunpoint While Walking Dog in Lincoln ParkFor those without symptoms, CDC guidance states they are considered contagious at least two days before their positive test. Which Symptoms Should You Watch For?As BA.2 cases continue their dominance across the Midwest and U.S., which symptoms should you watch for? Northwestern's Dr. Michael Angarone, an associate professor of medicine in infectious diseases, said the symptoms for BA.2 are similar to those seen in many COVID infections. "So this is the same virus, so SARS Coronavirus 2, so we're seeing the same symptoms," he said. Dr. Gregory Huhn, an infectious disease physician and the COVID-19 vaccine coordinator for Cook County Health, noted in March that while omicron led to more upper respiratory symptoms, it remains too early to tell if BA.2 will continue that trend. "I don't know if we, right now, know the particular features that are distinct for BA.2 versus BA.1. I mean, for BA.1, we knew that it was mostly an upper respiratory-type infection rather than the lower respiratory infections that can lead toward pneumonia and further and greater complications," he said at the time. Still, NBC News reported symptoms associated with BA.2 seem to largely mirror a small number of symptoms commonly reported in omicron infections. Those include:
Anecdotal reports have suggested that dizziness could be a possible symptom, but they are so far unfounded. "We will have to wait and see what exactly that means," said Dr. Rachael Lee, an associate professor of infectious disease and a health care epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Infections in general can cause dizziness if people become dehydrated, she said. "When we are sick and our body is taking care of the infection, we can get things like fever," Lee said. "If you have fever, in particular, and if you're sweating a lot, you're losing a lot of fluid." For some people, coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple weeks. For others, it may cause no symptoms at all. For some, the virus can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. Most vaccinated people either have no symptoms or exhibit very mild symptoms, according to health officials, and the virus rarely results in hospitalization or death for those individuals. Still, omicron presented a shift in common symptoms for many. Dr. Katherine Poehling, an infectious disease specialist and member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, told NBC News in January that a cough, congestion, runny nose and fatigue appear to be prominent symptoms with the omicron variant. But unlike the delta variant, many patients were not losing their taste or smell. She noted that these symptoms may only reflect certain populations. The symptoms COVID infections, according to the CDC, include:
When is the Best Time to Test?The CDC states that anyone who may have been exposed to someone with COVID should test five days after their exposure, or as soon as symptoms occur. "If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19," the guidance states. Those who develop symptoms should get tested as symptoms develop, but if a test is negative and symptoms persist another test might be needed a few days later, particularly for those who use at-home test kits. When Should You Call a Doctor?The CDC urges those who have or may have COVID-19 to watch for emergency warning signs and seek medical care immediately if they experience symptoms including:
"This list is not all possible symptoms," the CDC states. "Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you." |
How long after exposure to get tested
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