CHESAPEAKE, Va. ( WAVY ) — As the fall and winter seasons approach, the spread of illness may be top of mind for you. Nationally, flu and RSV cases are low, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show COVID-19 cases are already elevated in most areas.
But without mandates when it comes to COVID, people are getting different advice about what to do when they are sick.
“So, the recommendations right now are different for the community versus health care workers ,” said Lisa Engle, an epidemiologist with the Virginia Department of Health. “For the community, the guidelines are very relaxed.”
Is it too early to get a flu shot?
Engle explained to Nexstar’s WAVY that the general rule is to stay home until you’re fever-free for 24 hours with improving symptoms. The CDC notes that you should be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications.
If you don’t get a fever, you can return to work or school 24 hours after your symptoms have improved. Then, wear a mask for the next five days — it’s important to remember that even if you are feeling better, you may still be contagious, according to the CDC.