Questions about testing positive, quarantining with family members

Posted by shortney4 @shortney4, Dec 31, 2020

I am 7 days into my quarantine after testing positive for Covid. My child is testing today. If she Tests positive does that extend my quarantine since I will be in close contact with her? Also since testing positive when will I be able to get the vaccine? I have the opportunity through both of my jobs being a healthcare worker and being a teacher. Also if my boyfriend and I have both tested positive can we quarantine together even tho we have different symptoms or do we risk giving each other our symptoms?

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 31, 2020

Welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of people living with a variety of diseases and conditions, who share our journeys and help each other along the way. We are not medical professionals, so we cannot dispense medical advice.

Here is what guidelines say about Covid-19 positive family/household members: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html
Since you are all testing positive and in the same household, it is permissible to isolate together. The symptoms you get depend on how your body reacts to the virus, not the symptoms of others around you who also have it.

BUT you must protect anyone else in the household from all of you who are positive, and they must quarantine for a full 14 days from the date of the last person in your home who does test positive (even if they test negative right now.) That means no school, work, daycare, shopping, socializing... And definitely no one else coming into your home.

You should also notify anyone who came in contact with you within 2-5 days of testing positive or getting your first symptoms that you have Covid. This includes anyone you visited or visited you, coworkers, daycare, restaurants or similar places you visited... You can spread Covid before you have symptoms or a positive test.

About the vaccine: Current guidelines limit people receiving the vaccine immediately after a positive Covid-19 test, but since this is a brand new vaccine, guidance changes often. Keep track of the date of your positive test result and the last day of your symptoms, and consult with your provider to determine when you will be eligible for the virus. It will not cure you if you already have the virus, and will only protect individuals from getting the virus roughly 2-4 after receiving the first AND second doses at the recommended intervals.

I hope you all weather this without getting seriously ill.
Sue

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 2, 2021

I'd also like to add this resources from the CDC.
- Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits/facts.html

The article explains the following facts about the vaccine:
- FACT: COVID-19 vaccines will not give you COVID-19
- FACT: COVID-19 vaccines will not cause you to test positive on COVID-19 viral tests
- FACT: People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 may still benefit from getting vaccinated
- FACT: Getting vaccinated can help prevent getting sick with COVID-19
- FACT: Receiving an mRNA vaccine will not alter your DNA

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that you still get vaccinated when it is offered to you in your region.

For more up to the minute information about COVID-19 and vaccinations, see:
- Podcasts with Dr. Gregory Poland, Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/
- Information on COVID-19 Vaccine distribution for Mayo Clinic patients https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/information-on-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-for-mayo-clinic-patients/