How long is COVID contagious?
Most people are contagious 1–2 days before symptoms and up to 8–10 days after. A provider can review your case and prescribe Paxlovid online.
Also called: COVID isolation · when can I stop isolating · COVID contagious period
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ikechukwu Ogbu, MD
MD · Board-Certified, Internal Medicine · Last reviewed
What may be behind this
Clinical factors worth reviewing with a provider who knows your history. Not a diagnosis.
COVID-19
Commonly relevant for people looking into "How long is COVID contagious?" — worth reviewing with a clinician who knows your history.
When to see a clinician
- You have an underlying condition (heart, kidney, liver, thyroid, pregnancy) that could interact with the plan
- You're already on prescription medications and want to check for interactions
- Symptoms are affecting sleep, work, or daily life and haven't improved with lifestyle changes
- You want personalized guidance based on labs rather than generic advice