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I tested positive 14 days ago, symptoms have been gone for about 9 days but still testing positive. Am I contagious and why am I still testing positive so long after symptoms gone?
The shedding of the virus is highest during the first 5 days of infection. Thereafter (after those 5 days), viral shedding is much lower or gone. So, the CDC’s guidance is that you strictly isolate yourself for the first 5 days of symptomatic infection and then you can emerge from isolation but need to wear a well-fitting mask (I suggest a KN95 mask) for the next 5 days (Day 6 through 10 of your infection). You stated that you were positive on Day 9. Did you use a PCR test? The PCR test is very sensitive (it can pick up non-infectious pieces of the virus) and is not as useful to help determine when you have stopped shedding infectious viruses. I prefer using a rapid antigen test for determining if you have infectious viruses in your nose. If you did use a rapid antigen test and this was positive on Day 9, then you are among very few who still have some virus and this is why we ask for the wearing of the well-fitting mask through at least 10 days (I would even suggest that you should adopt doing this at least through 14 days to be extra safe to the people around you). The other explanation is that you got a second Covid infection, for example got the Delta virus and then got exposed and infected with the Omicron virus, several days later—this would be highly unusual but it is possible.
Therefore, you are still possibly contagious and I would wear a well-fitted mask (KN95) for at least 2 more days (preferably another 5 days) when out in public.
