From the Guidelines
You should wait a minimum of 10 days after COVID-19 symptom onset, along with fever resolution for 24 hours without antipyretics, and improvement in other symptoms before ending home isolation and returning to work, as patients are unlikely to be infectious after this point. This recommendation is based on the guidance provided by the National Psoriasis Foundation COVID-19 Task Force 1. The task force suggests that patients with psoriatic disease who become infected with SARS-CoV-2 should follow CDC guidance on home isolation and discuss with their healthcare providers when they can end home isolation.
Key Considerations
- The recommendation to wait at least 10 days after symptom onset is based on the fact that patients are unlikely to be infectious after this point 1.
- Fever resolution for 24 hours without antipyretics and improvement in other symptoms are also important criteria for ending home isolation 1.
- In patients with severe cases of COVID-19 or when psoriasis patients are on medications with immunosuppressive effects, a case-by-case approach to determining the length of home isolation is recommended 1.
Special Cases
- Patients with severe cases of COVID-19 or those on immunosuppressive medications may require a longer period of home isolation, and their healthcare provider should be consulted to determine the best course of action 1.
- Patients with close contact to someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection should quarantine themselves for 14 days after the last contact and discuss the management of their psoriatic disease treatment with their medical provider(s) 1.
From the Research
COVID-19 Recovery and Social Interaction
There is limited research directly addressing the ideal time to wait after a positive COVID-19 test before interacting with others. However, studies provide insights into the virus's behavior and the effects of vaccination and treatment:
- The duration of COVID-19 symptoms and the risk of transmission to others can vary significantly among individuals 2.
- Vaccination status plays a crucial role in determining the severity and duration of COVID-19 symptoms. Unvaccinated individuals are more likely to experience prolonged symptoms and have a higher risk of severe illness 2, 3.
- Antiviral treatments like nirmatrelvir-ritonavir have shown promise in reducing the severity and duration of COVID-19 symptoms, especially when administered early in the course of the disease 4, 3, 5.
- The time to sustained alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms can range from 12 to 13 days, depending on the treatment received and individual factors 3.
Key Considerations
When deciding when to interact with others after a positive COVID-19 test, consider the following:
- The risk of transmission to others decreases significantly after 5-7 days of symptom onset, especially if the individual is vaccinated and has received antiviral treatment 5.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations provide guidelines for ending isolation, which typically recommend waiting at least 5 days after symptom onset and until symptoms have improved 2.
- Individual factors, such as vaccination status, age, and underlying health conditions, can influence the risk of transmission and the severity of COVID-19 symptoms 2, 3.
Precautions and Recommendations
To minimize the risk of transmission to others:
- Follow local health guidelines and recommendations for ending isolation.
- Wear a mask and practice social distancing, especially in high-risk settings.
- Avoid close contact with vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.
- Consider getting vaccinated or receiving antiviral treatment if eligible, as these can reduce the severity and duration of COVID-19 symptoms 4, 3, 5.