Serving Maryland, the District of Columbia, and portions of Virginia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is the shared business name of CareFirst of Maryland, Inc. and Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage is the shared business name of CareFirst Advantage, Inc., CareFirst Advantage PPO, Inc. and CareFirst Advantage DSNP, Inc. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan Maryland is the business name of CareFirst Community Partners, Inc. In the District of Columbia and Maryland, CareFirst MedPlus is the business name of First Care, Inc. In Virginia, CareFirst MedPlus is the business name of First Care, Inc. of Maryland (used in VA by: First Care, Inc.). CareFirst of Maryland, Inc., Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc., CareFirst Advantage, Inc., CareFirst Advantage PPO, Inc., CareFirst Advantage DSNP, Inc., CareFirst Community Partners, Inc., CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan District of Columbia, CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc., First Care, Inc., and The Dental Network, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BLUE CROSS®, BLUE SHIELD® and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
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FAQs
Quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus and may or may not have been infected. Isolate when you are sick or when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don't have symptoms.
How long are you contagious after you test positive for COVID-19? ›
People with COVID-19 are often contagious for 5-10 days after their illness begins. People with flu may be contagious for up to 5-7 days after their illness begins. People with RSV are usually contagious for 3-8 days after their illness begins.
What's the difference between isolation and quarantine? ›
Isolation is for people who are already sick. Quarantine is for people who are not sick, but may have been exposed. Isolation separates and restricts the movement of sick people so they can't spread disease to healthy people.
How long after being exposed to Covid should I isolate? ›
How long do you need to self-quarantine? If you do not develop any symptoms, you will need to stay in self-quarantine for 10 days from the last time you were in close contact with a person who has COVID-19.
How long does a quarantine usually last? ›
You should stay home for 14 days after your last close contact with a person who has COVID-19. For all of the following scenarios, even if you test negative for COVID-19 or are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you should stay home (quarantine) since symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
What to do immediately after testing positive for COVID? ›
If you have tested positive, there are important steps you can take to help keep yourself and those around you safe:
- Seek COVID-19 treatment immediately if you have symptoms.
- Isolate by staying home and away from other people.
- Wear a mask when around other people indoors.
- Take precautions and inform your contacts.
Many people with COVID-19 get better with rest, fluids and treatment for their symptoms. Medicine you can get without a prescription can help. Some examples are: Fever reducers.
How long is a person contagious with COVID-19 CDC? ›
People with moderate or severe COVID-19 should isolate through at least day 10. Those with severe COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 10 days and may need to extend isolation for up to 20 days.
How is quarantine effective? ›
Theoretically, the benefit of quarantine is effective curbing of the spread of contagious diseases by preventing person-to-person transmission.
What does isolation mean when you have COVID? ›
Experts also recommend doing a COVID test at least 5 days after exposure to check for infection. Isolation means staying home when a person is infected with a contagious disease so they don't spread it to others.
If you or your child have tested positive for COVID-19: try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.
Can you live with someone with COVID and not get it? ›
Because coronavirus is transmitted through close contact with someone who is infected, it's common for the virus to spread within homes. But a positive diagnosis for one person doesn't always mean others will be infected.
What medicine to take for COVID? ›
Treatments
| Treatment | Who (Among persons who are at high risk of getting sick) | How |
|---|
| Remdesivir (Veklury)Antiviral | Adults and children | Intravenous (IV) infusions at a healthcare facility for 3 consecutive days |
| Molnupiravir (Lagevrio)Antiviral | Adults | Taken at home by mouth (orally) |
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However, individuals are typically contagious for about 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For those with mild to moderate symptoms, this period can be shorter, often around 5-7 days. For people with severe symptoms or those with a weakened immune system, contagiousness can last up to 20 days.
Can you stop quarantining if you test negative? ›
Ending isolation: You can end isolation after 5 days if you test negative (use an antigen test) on Day 5 or later – as long as you do not have a fever and your symptoms are getting better. If you still test positive on or after Day 5 or if you don't test, isolate for 10 full days, and until you don't have a fever.
Should I go to work if my spouse has COVID? ›
Workers who are ill with COVID-19 or have a family member with COVID-19 are urged to stay home to minimize the spread of the pandemic. Employers are encouraged to support these and other community mitigation strategies and should consider flexible leave policies for their employees.
What is the infectious period of a positive person with COVID-19? ›
Infection from contaminated surfaces or objects is possible but generally does not contribute significantly to new infections. People with COVID-19 can be infectious from 1–2 days before and up to 8–10 days after symptoms begin.
When will I test negative after having COVID? ›
Key Takeaways. If you get COVID-19, you may continue to test positive even after you're feeling better. Some people who recover from COVID may test positive for weeks or even months after they were sick.
How long will I continue to test positive for COVID? ›
After a positive test result, you may continue to test positive for some time. Some tests, especially PCR tests, may continue to show a positive result for up to 90 days. Reinfections can occur within 90 days, which can make it hard to know if a positive test indicates a new infection.
