Quarantine and Isolation: What to Know
Quarantine and isolation are ways to protect the public from diseases that:
Isolation is when you are sick and have to stay home and away from other people.
Quarantine is when you have to stay home for a certain amount of time after being around a sick person. This is to see if you become sick.
What diseases do I need to quarantine or isolate for?
You may need to quarantine or isolate if you have or been around someone with:
Cholera.
Diphtheria.
Infectious TB, also called tuberculosis.
Plague.
Smallpox.
Yellow fever.
Viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as Marburg, Ebola, and Crimean-Congo.
Severe acute respiratory syndromes, such as COVID-19.
Flu.
Measles.
When should I quarantine?
You should quarantine when you've been in close contact with someone who has, or is thought to have, a disease that spreads easily.
Close contact means you've been less than 6 ft (1.8 m) away from the person for 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period.
When should I isolate?
You should isolate when:
You are sick with a disease that spreads easily.
You test positive for a disease that spreads easily, even if you don't have symptoms.
You are sick and think you have a disease that spreads easily.
Get tested if you think you have a disease that spreads easily.
- If your test results are negative, you can stop isolation if for at least 24 hours both are true:
You don't have symptoms, or your symptoms are getting better.
You haven't had a fever without using fever-reducing medicine.
Sometimes, 2 negative tests are needed to stop isolation.
If your test results are positive, isolate as told by your health care provider or health officials.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
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Take your medicines only as told.
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If you were given antibiotics, take them as told. Do not stop taking them even if you start to feel better.
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Stay up to date on your shots, also called vaccines. Get vaccines and booster shots as told.
Lifestyle
When you're in quarantine or isolation:
If you must be around other people at home or in public, wear a high-quality mask that fits well.
Do not get close to people who may get very sick.
Use a bathroom that you don't have to share with other people, if you can.
Do not share personal items like cups, towels, and spoons or forks.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you can't use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
Get better air flow in your home by opening a window or door. This may stop the disease from spreading.
General instructions
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Do not travel if you are in quarantine or isolation. Travel only when your provider or health officials say it's OK.
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Call your provider or health department if you need advice on how to care for yourself.
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Talk to your provider if you are immunocompromised. This means your body can't fight infections easily. Vaccines might not work as well for you.
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If you are sick, closely watch your symptoms. Follow instructions from your provider. You may be told to rest, drink fluids, and take medicine.
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Follow guidelines for quarantine and isolation, especially if you are in a place where diseases can spread easily and quickly. These places include jails, homeless shelters, and cruise ships.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
