Cases of coronavirus – and worryingly the new Omicron variant – are continuing to increase throughout Scotland.
In order to stop the spread, Scots are now being asked to ditch Christmas parties to prevent the contagious disease from infecting others.
But how long after infection are you contagious and how does the virus pass from person to person?
Scientists say that there is an 'incubation' period of Covid-19, meaning that there is a window between someone being exposed and someone then beginning to show symptoms.
However, even those without symptoms people can spread the virus.
Here is all you need to know..
When is an infected person contagious?
Scientists say that there is a delay between a person first being exposed to the virus and that person showing symptoms of the infection.
This is called the incubation period and can last between two and 14 days.
However, symptoms normally start to appear around five or six days after exposure, according to the World Health Organisation.
In terms of spreading the virus, if you have had Covid-19 you can infect others from around two days before their symptoms start and for around ten days after.
The infection can still be spread even if someone shows very mild symptoms or even no symptoms at all.
When are people most contagious?
According to a study published in Lancet Mircrobe this year, you are most infectious during the first week of the illness.
This means it is vital that you self isolate as soon as you start showing symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
Self isolation rules
Symptoms
You should self isolate for ten days if you develop any symptoms to a Covid-19 infection.
Symptoms include a new, continuous cough; fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste.
However, there are may be more signs to look out for as the Omicron variant spreads across the country.
Symptoms of the new strain include:
- Extreme tiredness
- Mild muscle aches
- A scratchy throat
- A dry cough
You can check your symptoms on NHS Inform here.
Close contact
Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will be put in touch with the local contact tracing team so that other close contacts can be identified.
If you are identified as a close contact, you will be required to self-isolate for ten days from symptom onset in the person who tested positive.
A PCR test should then be booked to find out whether the disease has been transmitted.
If the test is negative and you a vaccinated, then you can cease the period of self-isolation.
Those who are unvaccinated will be required to complete the ten days of isolation.
Anyone who tests positive will need to isolate for ten days.
You can get more information about self isolation here at NHS Inform.
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