When people may have a respiratory virus like COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that they stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both symptoms are getting better overall and fever is gone without using fever-reducing medication. Symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.
Seek health care right away for testing and/or treatment if you believe you may have a respiratory virus (if you feel sick or tested positive for one) and you have risk factors for severe illness. If you have COVID-19, treatment may be an option to make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time you are sick. Treatment needs to be started within a few days of when your symptoms start.
Once people return to normal activities, they’re encouraged to take additional precautions over the next five days:
Learn more - About Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC