Exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 creates immediate uncertainty about the steps to take next. Understanding current health guidance is the first step in protecting yourself and those around you from potential transmission. Following a clear protocol helps navigate the period of highest risk and provides a path for necessary testing and monitoring. This guidance offers general steps recommended by public health agencies to manage the situation effectively.
Determining If You Had a High-Risk Exposure
The first step is to determine if the interaction qualifies as a high-risk exposure, also known as “close contact.” Public health guidelines define this as being within six feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. This time frame starts two full days before the infected person first developed symptoms or received a positive test result, whichever occurred earlier. Multiple, brief interactions that add up to 15 minutes within that 24-hour window can still meet this definition. The risk of transmission is higher in poorly ventilated indoor spaces and when neither party was consistently wearing a high-quality, well-fitting mask. The definition of a close contact remains the same for everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
Immediate Post-Exposure Protocol
Once a high-risk exposure is confirmed, immediately begin taking protective measures. The most important action is careful daily monitoring for any signs of illness. Watch for common symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, headache, or a new loss of taste or smell.
Immediately begin wearing a high-quality mask, such as an N95 or KN95 respirator, any time you are around other people, even within your own home. This measure should be maintained for a full 10 days following the exposure date to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus. During this 10-day period, reduce contact with individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness, such as the elderly or those who are immunocompromised. If you must be around high-risk people, maintain physical distance and ensure both of you are wearing masks. It is also helpful to notify your own close contacts from the days leading up to your exposure.
Navigating the Testing Timeline
The timing of a diagnostic test is important to ensure the most accurate result, especially if you are not experiencing symptoms. The recommendation for asymptomatic individuals is to wait until at least five full days after the last exposure before getting tested. The day of the last exposure is considered Day 0, making the earliest reliable testing time Day 5.
This waiting period accounts for the virus’s incubation period, which is the time between exposure and when the virus has multiplied enough to be reliably detected. Testing too early may produce a false negative result because the viral load has not yet reached a detectable level. The average incubation period is around 5 to 7 days, but it can range from 2 to 14 days.
Both rapid antigen tests and laboratory-based PCR tests can be used after an exposure. Rapid antigen tests provide quick results, often within minutes, but they are less sensitive than PCR tests, especially early in the infection or if you are asymptomatic. PCR tests are highly sensitive and more reliable for detecting the virus, but they can take days to return a result. If the result is negative after the five-day waiting period, continue to wear a mask and take precautions through Day 10, as the infection can still develop later in the window.
When Symptoms Develop or Worsen
If symptoms begin at any point after the exposure, isolate immediately and get tested right away, regardless of whether the five-day waiting period has passed. Common symptoms include fever, persistent cough, muscle aches, sore throat, or congestion. Upon testing positive or developing symptoms, full isolation is necessary to prevent further transmission.
It is important to know the signs that indicate a need for immediate medical attention. Warning signs that require emergency care include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, or an inability to wake or stay awake. For mild symptoms, general at-home care involves rest and adequate hydration. If you are at high risk for severe illness, contact a healthcare provider promptly after a positive test result to discuss potential treatment options, as these must be started early in the illness course.