how soon after exposure to covid are you contagious

Individuals exposed to COVID-19 can become contagious as early as 2 days after exposure. They are often most contagious starting about 2 days before symptom onset and remain infectious for up to 10 to 14 days after exposure or symptom onset, depending on the severity of illness and immune response. Asymptomatic individuals can also transmit the virus during this period. The incubation period, which is the time from exposure to symptom development, typically ranges from 2 to 14 days with an average around 3 to 5 days, and contagiousness tends to begin before symptoms appear. Public health guidance recommends quarantine or isolation measures for up to 14 days to cover this contagious period and help prevent further spread of the virus.