COVID-19 Infection Timeline Exposure - Symptoms - Testing

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COVID-19 Infection Timeline Exposure - Symptoms - Testing - Isolation

Timeline per John Hopkins

When you get symptoms. 1. Get tested with a self-test (rapid-test) kit if you have one or get one from your healthcare provider of pharmacy.
In California see "How to get tested" | California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
The CDPH Call Center 1-833-422-4255
Vaccinated or not, get tested immediately if you’re feeling any COVID-19 symptoms. If your first test is negative, test again 1 day later.
If your second test is negative and you are still concerned about COVID-19, consider a third test at least a day later or a laboratory-based test that your doctor could order for you.
After a positive test.
Contact your healthcare provider to see if you should take medication.
If you are uninsured or can't reach your healthcare provider for 24 hours you can get a state provided contact in many states.
The the California Department of Public Health provides a service.
s are only approved for those who have symptoms. If you need to get a COVID-19 test,

FREE Virtual COVID-19 Visit for Californians Ages 12 and Up

 0  Exposure
    Incubation - (exposure to symptoms) 
        2-14 days for alpha and Delta
         3.4 days average for Omicron, currently the most comon
    Median 5 days. 97.5% will show symptoms by 11.5 days.
    Contagious 2-3 Days before Symptoms
     Infectious 1-2 days before symptoms
     
     Isolation
     5 days minimum: This is the standard recommended isolation period by the CDC,
       even for asymptomatic cases.
Day 5 onward: You can end isolation on day 5 if you:
Are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
Other symptoms are improving or resolving.
     
 2-14  Symptoms - Fever, fatigue, muscle pain, dry cough
 6-12  Difficulty breathing
11-16  Hospital for those with still breathing troubles
12  Acute respiratory distress
14 ICU for critical respiratory issues
16 Fever ends
17 Shortness of breath ends
22 Death for those worst affected
26 Recovered

Tests:
RNA Diagnostic test - Moledular testing
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) tests, which detect genetic material called RNA from the virus. Samples from medical providers, pharmacies or community testing sites are sent to a lab for analysis, which can take around a day.

Antigen Test (Rapid Test) - self-testing/b> -

See In Vitro Diagnostics EUAs - Molecular Diagnostic Tests for SARS-CoV-2 | FDA

"After a positive antigen test, repeat tests are generally not recommended for 30 days (1 month). Reason: The test may stay positive for a few weeks. Further, getting infected again appears to be rare during the first 30 to 90 days afterwards. However, if you have new symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of exposure to someone with COVID-19, you should self-isolate and call your doctor."

Ongoing immune response: Your body may continue to produce antibodies and other immune system markers for weeks or even months after you have recovered. Some tests, such as antibody tests, may detect these markers and show a positive result, even if you are not actually infected.

Residual viral RNA: Even after you are no longer contagious, your body may still be shedding small amounts of viral RNA, which can be detected by PCR tests. These tests are very sensitive and can pick up even tiny amounts of the virus.