How Do I Prevent COVID-19?

Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on January 29, 2025
Written by Evan Starkman, Kristin Mitchell, Alicia Racelis, PhD
10 min read

You may wonder if COVID-19 is still a thing or how long an infection lasts, especially if you're having symptoms. For most people with mild infections, COVID goes away after a few weeks. But for others, the symptoms can linger for weeks or months.

The best ways to prevent COVID are to stay up to date with your vaccinations, practice good hygiene, and avoid contact with others when infected, especially in the early stages of your illness.

COVID transmission rate

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed over 103 million cases of COVID in the U.S. since January 2020. COVID can still spread rapidly, especially through close person-to-person contact. You can get the virus and spread it even if you've been vaccinated or had the virus before. 

How long are you contagious with COVID?

People seem to pass on the virus most often about two days before symptoms show up and during the early stages of their illness. If your symptoms are serious, you may be infectious for a longer period

People infected with COVID can spread it even if they don't have symptoms. If you have COVID symptoms, the CDC says to isolate as long as you have a fever. If your symptoms improve, you can return to your normal activities 24 hours after your fever goes away without taking medication to lower it.

Once you return to your daily routine, or if you have COVID without symptoms, use preventive measures such as masking and social distancing for five days to protect others. But keep in mind the virus can spread even though you feel better or haven't yet developed a fever or other symptoms.

How long does COVID last if I'm vaccinated?

It's unclear if the vaccine lowers the duration of COVID symptoms because everyone's immune system reacts differently to infection. But the vaccine can lower your risk of serious infection, hospitalization, or death from COVID.

Can pets get COVID?

Some pets have tested positive for the coronavirus. Not all of these animals had signs of illness, but some had mild symptoms. The animals may have caught the virus through close contact with infected humans.

Public health officials are still studying COVID. Although humans can pass it to their pets, it's not as likely to pass from pets to humans.

Experts believe the virus that causes COVID mainly spreads from person to person. There are several ways this can happen:

Droplets and aerosols. Small droplets most commonly transmit the virus. But tinier particles, or aerosols, can also carry the virus into the air from the nose or mouth of an infected person when they cough, sneeze, or talk. Anyone within 6 feet of this person can breathe it into their lungs.

Surface transmission. A less common method is to touch a contaminated countertop or doorknob an infected person coughs or sneezes on. The virus can spread when you touch your nose, mouth, or eyes. COVID can live for two to three days on surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel. To stop it, clean and disinfect all counters, knobs, and surfaces you and your family touch several times a day.

Fecal-oral transmission. Studies have found virus particles in infected people's poop. But experts aren't sure whether COVID can spread through stool. If an infected person uses the bathroom without washing their hands, they might infect anyone they touch.

Most often, COVID spreads through infected people who don't have symptoms. Some people don't know they're infected, as they never develop symptoms but can still spread COVID to others. This is called asymptomatic spread. You can also pass it on before you develop symptoms, called presymptomatic spread.

Is COVID airborne?

The virus can get into your lungs if someone who has it breathes out and you breathe it in. Experts are divided on how often it spreads through this airborne route.

How long does COVID stay in the air? 

Research shows the virus can live in the air for up to 3 hours. 

Community spread

Sometimes, a person may know how they got the virus. They can trace back to their contact with someone who's been sick. In other cases, the cause is unknown. Community spread is when several people in an area get the virus. It includes cases where there is no known contact with an infected person.

Can I get infected from delivery food, packages, or groceries?

It's highly unlikely that you'll catch COVID from packages, groceries, or food. If your community has high case levels, or you're at risk of infection or developing serious COVID symptoms, try to keep at least 6 feet away from others in stores. You can also have food delivered or arrange curbside pickup. If these options aren't possible, wear a face mask. 

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after you bring things into your home. It's optional but you can wipe down your packages. Clean the surfaces that you touch often.

How long can COVID live on bedding?

Studies have detected COVID on fabric surfaces for up to a few days. But survival depends on the temperature, humidity, and the fabric type:

  • Up to 2 days on cotton
  • Nearly 8 hours on wool or linen
  • About 1 hour on clothing
  • Less than 30 minutes on nylon

It's unlikely you'll get COVID from your bedding because any virus on the fabric won't live long. If you or a family member have COVID, it's always a good idea to wash the bedding and disinfect bedroom surfaces.

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, several variants have dominated at various times, including the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron strains. The CDC says COVID is very contagious and spreads quickly to others. Although 98% of people in the U.S. have some immune protection to the virus, some remain at higher risk for serious illness.

The virus still moves through direct, indirect, or close contact to quickly infect others. This is especially true for indoor or crowded places.

If you're sick with COVID, you have about a 16% chance of infecting your housemates. But you're three times more likely to pass it to your partner. Try sleeping in separate rooms and take preventive measures.

COVID symptoms can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. It can also depend on how serious your COVID infection is and how your immune system reacts to it. Your health and other conditions may also affect how long it lasts.

Most people get mild infections with a cough, sore throat, or other upper respiratory signs. These usually go away in about 2 weeks. But some COVID symptoms, such as loss of taste or smell, can persist longer, lasting anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks.

You may also get symptoms lower in your lungs that stick around longer with more serious COVID infections. Certain medical conditions or a compromised immune system can raise your risk for serious infections that may persist for 2 to 3 months.

If your symptoms linger or continue to come and go, you may have a chronic condition called long COVID. Because long COVID has many different signs and there's no test for it, it can be hard to diagnose. While the CDC defines long COVID as symptoms lasting 4 weeks, most doctors and the WHO define long COVID as symptoms that last 3 months.

To prevent COVID, the CDC recommends to:

  • Get vaccinated.
  • Stay current with your COVID vaccinations.
  • Get tested for COVID if you have symptoms.
  • If you've been exposed, take steps to prevent the spread of COVID, such as masking and social distancing.
  • Move indoor activities outdoors.
  • Isolate if you think or know you have COVID.
  • Stay away from others with suspected or confirmed cases.
  • Improve the flow of air in and out of rooms, take steps to open windows, change air filters more often, turn on fans or exhaust fans, and use (high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners.
  • Get treatment if you have COVID and are considered high risk for getting very sick.
  • Quarantine if you've been exposed to COVID, even if you don't have symptoms.

 Take extra steps, especially in areas with higher COVID levels, such as:

  • Stay away from public areas such as public transportation and ride-sharing.
  • When you go out, avoid crowded areas and stand at least 6 feet (about two arm lengths) away from people, especially if you're at risk for serious illness. 
  • Wear a mask in public places as well as indoors (for anyone aged 2 years and older).

Also, you can take everyday precautions, such as:

  • Have at least a month's supply of your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications on hand.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes as they're direct pathways for viruses into your body.
  • When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow, then wash your hands.
  • If you're sick, don't share kitchen, bedding, bathroom, or other household items.
  • Regularly clean areas that are touched a lot, as the virus can survive on plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours. 

COVID is a serious illness. It’s important to take steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus because:

  • Anyone who has COVID can spread the virus. Research shows that you can spread it even if you don't have symptoms.
  • Some people are more likely than others to become seriously ill. This includes older people, people with other medical conditions, those who are pregnant or recently pregnant, and newborns.
  • If you get very sick from a COVID infection, you may need to be hospitalized or put on a ventilator to help you breathe. Serious cases may be life-threatening. 
  • Even if you've had a vaccine or COVID infection, you can get sick and spread it to others.

Anyone can get COVID. But you have a higher chance of getting seriously ill from it if you:

  • Are unvaccinated
  • Are 65 or older, especially if you live in a nursing home or other care facility
  • Have asthma or lung disease, although more research is needed on this
  • Have conditions such as cancer and blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia
  • Have a weakened immune system (due to conditions such as HIV and sickle cell anemia or use of long-term medications such as prednisone)
  • Have a body mass index (BMI) over 40
  • Have type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  • Have a serious heart condition
  • Have kidney, liver, or heart disease
  • Have brain or nervous system conditions such as dementia or stroke
  • Have Down syndrome
  • Have depression or other mental health conditions

If you fall into one of these categories, it's especially important for you to follow general safety guidelines. Also, take these steps:

  • Take all your medications as usual, even if you get COVID. Don't change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
  • Make sure you're up to date on all your vaccines.
  • Call your doctor if you have any questions about your condition or if you think you've come into contact with the virus.
  • Don't hesitate to go to the hospital if you need to.

See your doctor promptly if you think you may have COVID and:

  • You have a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, obesity, or heart disease.
  • You have a weakened immune system due to medications or a health condition.
  • You're 50 or older.

Your doctor can prescribe medication to help keep you from getting seriously ill. But you'll need to take it within a few days of the first signs of illness.

Get medical help right away if you have serious symptoms such as:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Lasting pain or pressure in your chest
  • Confusion
  • Trouble waking up or staying awake
  • Blue lips or face

If it's an emergency, call 911 or head to the nearest hospital for medical attention.

 

Most people get mild COVID infections that last a few weeks. But sometimes the infection can last longer, get serious, or even life-threatening. Staying up to date with vaccines can help prevent serious infection. You can also protect yourself and others by taking extra precautions, such as wearing a mask and avoiding crowds when infection rates are high.

What are the stages of COVID?

COVID infection has three stages:

  • Incubation period. It starts when you first get infected and ends when you show symptoms, lasting about 2 weeks. You're still contagious a few days after infection even though you don't have symptoms.
  • Acute period. This phase starts after your symptoms begin, usually with a fever, cough, and other COVID symptoms.
  • Recovery period. Once you feel better, recovery begins. This period lasts for weeks but if you haven't improved or symptoms persist, you may have long COVID. If you think you have signs of long COVID, talk with your doctor about your symptoms.

How to get rid of COVID fast

Most mild infections go away with rest and fluids. But if you're at high risk for severe infection, your doctor may suggest an antiviral medication, such as nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) or remdesivir (Veklury). Call your doctor if you think you have symptoms or test positive for COVID. They can review your medical history and suggest the best COVID treatment.

When does COVID turn severe?

Anyone can get a serious COVID infection. The signs of a serious or life-threatening infection include:

  • Problems breathing
  • Constant pain or a heavy feeling in your chest
  • Feeling disoriented or confused
  • Trouble staying awake or waking up
  • Lips, nail beds, or skin (depending on your skin tone) appearing washed out, grey, or bluish

If you or a loved one has concerning COVID symptoms, get medical help right away.