How long are you contagious after a COVID-19 infection?

You are especially contagious in the first week after the onset of symptoms and especially if you cough. Once you stop coughing, you will also spread fewer viruses. Some sources claim that the virus can remain in the body for up to 37 days but in very small quantities. If you no longer cough, few viruses will be released with the saliva droplets and the risk of infection will decrease significantly. It is believed that the risk of infecting other people remains up to three days after coughing or three days after the fever disappears. Patients leaving the hospital normally have to remain in quarantine for another 2 weeks. It is assumed that 14 days after the onset of symptoms one is no longer contagious, provided one no longer has symptoms.

Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30566-3/fulltext

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-12-09 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025