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How COVID-19 spreads
COVID-19 spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets and aerosols created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks.
The COVID-19 virus is most often spread from an infected person through:
- Respiratory secretions (e.g., runny nose, saliva) and droplets generated by coughing or sneezing.
- Close, prolonged personal contact, such as living in the same household or working directly with someone who is infected with the virus.
Less commonly, the virus may also spread through touching an object with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.
Symptoms can include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. More severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain can occur in some people.
People who have COVID-19 symptoms should isolate (stay away from others) until you do not have a fever and your symptoms have been getting better for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea).
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (even mild symptoms) and are at higher risk of serious illness, you should get tested for COVID-19 (by PCR or rapid antigen test). A rapid antigen test (RAT) may be used but it might be negative in the early stages of illness.
Contact your health care provider or pharmacist as soon as possible as you may benefit from COVID-19 treatment. The treatment (Paxlovid) must be taken within the first 5 days of your symptoms starting. To see if this treatment is right for you see the COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener.
Some people continue to experience symptoms for many weeks or months after the first infection. This condition is called “long COVID” or Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS).
To lower your chances of getting COVID-19, or spreading it to others, follow tips for infection prevention and stay up to date with your COVID-19 immunizations.
If you have questions related to COVID-19 testing or isolation guidelines, please call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information line at 1-888-777-0730.
Rapid antigen tests are available at the following locations:
- At all KFL&A Public Health offices.
- Participating municipal Cool Down locations through the City of Kingston.
- Some pharmacies and health care providers may have tests for their patients.
Free PCR testing is available for eligible people with symptoms in many local pharmacies within KFL&A area.