For COVID-19, this can reach up to 14 days after virus exposure.
How Does Omicron Compare to Previous Variants?
Each new variant may have its own variations in incubation periods.
Verywell Health / Dennis Madamba
Some data suggest the incubation period for Omicron may be closer to three days.
At this time, the BA.1 subvariant was the dominant strain.
As the virus evolves, new subvariants emerge and become the dominant variant.
Omicrons average incubation period doesnt mean that people who dont get symptoms four days after exposure are not infected.
Although there is a shorter incubation period, you still need to test regularly if youve been exposed.
When Are You Most Contagious?
Therefore, isolating for five days may not be enough, even if one is asymptomatic, Weiss said.
At the moment, there arent enough data to say for sure whether vaccination shortens the incubation period.
There are arguments that could be made both towards shortening or lengthening, Weiss said.
In part, I think [the incubation period] strongly depends upon the infected human.
The best way to protect yourself and those around you is to get vaccinated, Oller said.
Get vaccinated, encourage those you love to get vaccinated and get boosted when it is recommended.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
2021;21(1):1762. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-11761-1
