Here's When You're Most Infectious With Covid-19, With And Without Symptoms
Huff PostPeople with Covid-19 are most likely to be highly infectious in the first five days after they develop symptoms, a new study confirms, highlighting the need for abrupt isolation. “Our findings are in line with contact tracing studies which suggest the majority of viral transmission events occur very early, and especially within the first five days after symptom onset, indicating the importance of self-isolation immediately after symptoms start,” lead author Dr Muge Cevik of the University of St Andrews commented. “We also need to raise public awareness about the range of symptoms linked with the disease, including mild symptoms that may occur earlier on in the course of the infection than those that are more prominent like cough or fever.” The World Health Organisation lists the following possible symptoms of Covid-19: Most common symptoms: Fever Dry cough Tiredness Less common symptoms: Aches and pains Sore throat Diarrhoea Conjunctivitis Headache Loss of taste or smell A rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes Serious symptoms: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Chest pain or pressure Loss of speech or movement. Although viral loads appear to be largely similar between those people with and without symptoms, the research did indicate that asymptomatic individuals might clear the viral material from their bodies faster. “Several studies have found that individuals with asymptomatic infection may clear the virus faster, suggesting that those without symptoms may be as infectious as those with symptoms at the beginning of infection, but may be infectious for a shorter period,” said Dr Cevik.