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If You Have or Suspect COVID-19
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On February 1, 2022, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) discontinued contact outreach and monitoring, also known as contact tracing, which notified close contacts exposed to COVID-19. Local Health Departments were already winding down contact tracing, and K-12 schools who were participating in contact tracing as part of a Test to Stay program may have temporarily suspend contact tracing as well. Local Health Departments may no longer issue written orders of quarantine or work release letters. For county specific information, please contact your Local Health Department.
What to do if You Know or Suspect You Have COVID-19
Regardless of vaccination status, if you have tested positive for COVID-19, or if you are exhibiting symptoms or have been notified by a health care professional as having a suspected case of COVID-19, follow the guidance as detailed on this page:
- People who are more likely to get severely ill should seek testing and treatment early.
- Monitor your symptoms and seek care if needed.
- Isolate for at least 5 days, with additional precautions until day 10.
- Identify and notify your close contacts.
- Review and share the Fact Sheet.
People at High Risk
For people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 infection, medications are available that can reduce your chances of severe illness and death. Don't delay. Seek testing and treatment early.
What Are The Symptoms of COVID-19?
People report a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure, and anyone can have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status. Typical symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- New loss of taste or smell
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention:
If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately, or upon experiencing any symptoms that are severe or concerning to you:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
When Are You Contagious & When Can You Get Others Sick?
People with COVID-19 are contagious in the 2 days prior to the start of symptoms and for 10 days after symptoms begin. You are most contagious 2-3 days after symptoms begin, but it is possible to spread the virus for up to 10 days. People who are severely ill with COVID-19 or who are immunocompromised may spread the virus for up to 20 days.
COVID-19 Can be Spread by People With no Symptoms
COVID-19 can be spread by people that don’t have symptoms, so people who do not have symptoms are considered contagious in the 2 days prior to when their positive sample was collected. It is possible to spread the virus for up to 10 days.
If You Had Close Contact With Someone When You Might Have Been Contagious
If someone was 6 feet or less from a person with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection for a total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, they are considered a close contact. For example, someone who had three separate 5-minute exposures to a person with COVID-19 over the course of a single day is considered a close contact.
If you had close contact with anyone during the time you might be contagious:
- Tell each of them that you are sick as soon as you are able.
- Recommend that they do the following:
- Quarantine at home for 5 full days
- Get tested after 5 days
- Monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if symptoms develop
- Visit the Close Contacts web page
Why is Isolation Important?
Isolation helps stop the spread of COVID-19. People should stay home until it’s safe to be around others. While at home, anyone sick or infected should do the following:
- Monitor your symptoms. If symptoms get worse or if you have an emergency warning sign such as trouble breathing or persistent pain or pressure in the chest, seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Stay in a separate room away from other household members, if possible.
- Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
- Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
- Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
- Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
- Wear a well-fitting mask if you need to be around others.
Length of Isolation
As of January 2022, KDHE has outlined isolation guidelines for two scenarios:
- Those who have tested positive and have symptoms
- Those who have tested positive and do not have symptoms
If Positive & Have Symptoms:
- Stay home and isolate for at least 5 days from when your symptoms began. The day your symptoms start is considered Day 0 and the next day is considered Day 1. Wear a well-fitted mask that covers your mouth and nose around others in your home.
- If your symptoms have improved after 5 days AND you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours -- without fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen -- you can leave your house. Continue to wear a well-fitted mask that covers your mouth and nose for 5 more days when around others. If you cannot mask, continue to isolate at home for 5 additional days.
- During the entire 10 days you are contagious:
- Avoid travel
- Avoid being around people at high risk for developing severe disease
- If you were severely ill or are immunocompromised, you should isolate at home for at least 10 days and may need to isolate up to 20 days. Consult your doctor before ending isolation.
- Use the CDC Quarantine and Isolation Calculator linked on this page to help you determine your recommended isolation period. See KDHE's Isolation and Quarantine Release Graphic for more information.
If Positive & No Symptoms:
- Stay home and isolate for 5 days from when your positive sample was taken. The day your sample was taken is considered Day 0 and the next day is considered Day 1. Wear a well-fitted mask that covers your mouth and nose around others in your home.
- If you haven’t developed symptoms during your 5 days at home, you can leave your house. If you developed symptoms, follow the guidance for people who tested positive and have symptoms. Begin a new home isolation period based on the day your symptoms start.
- Continue to wear a well-fitted mask that covers your mouth and nose for 5 more days when around others. If you cannot mask, continue to isolate at home for 5 additional days.
- During the 10 days you are contagious:
- Avoid travel
- Avoid being around people at high risk for developing severe disease
- Use the CDC's Quarantine and Isolation Calculator linked on this page to help you determine your recommended isolation period. See KDHE's Isolation and Quarantine Release Graphic for more information.