Whether you may have been exposed or are already starting to show symptoms, isolation is the best solution for you and those around you. What's the difference between self-quarantine and self-isolation and how to do it successfully when living with other people?
As over half a million Americans have already been confirmed to be infected with the novel coronavirus (and the actual number expected to be much higher), it's increasingly important that we all know how to behave after exposure to the virus.
First, we should distinguish between self-quarantine and self-isolation. Both are forms of isolation, the first being a 14-day retraction from any social life, following exposure to the virus (contact with someone infected). Why two weeks? Because symptoms usually appear within 5 days and may last over a week, after which you should stay at home a couple more days when possible. Remember that for some people there are no symptoms at all, which is why quarantine is so important even when you feel well.
Meanwhile, self-isolation is when you are already showing flu-like symptoms. Here, there is no strict period to adhere to, however you should stay isolated for at least a week and no shorter than until all symptoms have resolved. By that time you shouldn't be contagious, though a couple extra days in isolation would be preferable.
