Viral Questions

What happens if I get COVID-19 while traveling? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

What happens if I get COVID-19 while traveling?

COVID-19 rules for travelers will vary depending on the destination. But testing positive for the virus could result in an unexpected change in plans, such as being required to stay isolated in a hoteI.

What do we know about the new omicron mutant? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin

What do we know about the new omicron mutant?

What do we know about “stealth omicron" so far? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

What do we know about “stealth omicron” so far?

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed after two years? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed after two years?

Why are COVID vaccination rates still low in some countries? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Why are COVID vaccination rates still low in some countries?

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Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID?

Experts say it’s not likely that the highly transmissible omicron variant — or any other variant — will lead us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19.

Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron?

Experts say it’s too early to know whether people infected with the omicron variant will develop long COVID.

How many times can I reuse my N95 mask? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

How many times can I reuse my N95 mask?

Experts say how often you can safely wear an N95 or KN95 mask will vary depending on how it’s used. Using a mask to run to the grocery store, for example, is very different than wearing it all day at work.

Is it better to wear an N95 or cloth mask right now? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Why is it better to wear an N95 than a cloth mask right now?

Health experts suggest stepping up protection against omicron with N95s, KN95s or similar masks. The U.S.

When am I most contagious if infected with omicron? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

When am I contagious if infected with omicron?

It’s not yet clear when people infected with omicron become contagious but early data suggests it might be sooner than with earlier variants.

How do I know if I have a cold, the flu or COVID-19? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

How do I know if I have a cold, the flu or COVID-19?

Symptoms of common colds, the flu and COVID-19 can overlap, so experts say testing is the best way to determine what you have.

Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID-19 lately? AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID-19 lately?

Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID-19 lately? A couple of factors are at play, starting with the emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant.

Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant?

At-home COVID-19 tests are able to detect the omicron variant, but U.S. health officials say early data suggests they may be less sensitive at picking it up.

Can animals get or spread COVID-19? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Can your pet get COVID-19?

Health officials say pets and another animals can get the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, but the risk of them spreading it to people is low.

How will the world decide when the pandemic is over?(AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

How will the world decide when the pandemic is over?

There’s no clear-cut definition for when a pandemic starts and ends, and how much of a threat a global outbreak is posing can vary by country.

How can I protect myself from the new omicron variant?

To protect yourself against the omicron variant, experts say to do what you would against any other variant.

As the holidays approach, is it safe to travel during the pandemic? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Is travel safe during the pandemic this holiday season?

Traveling this holiday season can be safe if you’re fully vaccinated for COVID-19. For those who haven’t gotten their shots, officials advise delaying travel. The U.S.

Why can't some COVID-19 vaccinated people travel to the US? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Why can’t some COVID-19 vaccinated people travel to the US?

The United States opened its borders to people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but some who got the shots are finding they’re still not eligible to visit.

Can at-home COVID-19 tests make holiday gatherings safer?(AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Can at-home COVID-19 tests make holiday gatherings safer?

Home test kits for COVID-19 can add a layer of safety and reassurance to holiday gatherings by providing on-the-spot results.

Are COVID-19 boosters the same as the original vaccines? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Are COVID-19 boosters the same as the original vaccines?

COVID-19 boosters use the same recipe as the original vaccines, and weren’t tweaked since they still work well against the delta and other variants.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?

Pfizer’s vaccine has been authorized by U.S. regulators for younger children, and millions of teens have already safely received the shot.

Is it safe to go trick-or-treating during the pandemic? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Is it OK to go trick-or-treating during the pandemic?

Whether you decide to go trick-or-treating with your family in the pandemic might depend on your situation and comfort level.

What is the “delta plus” variant? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

What is the ‘delta plus’ variant of the coronavirus?

British officials have identified a relative of the delta variant. It’s not a variant of interest or concern, and it has not yet been officially named after a letter of the Greek alphabet, like the other worrisome variants.

Will new variants of the coronavirus keep emerging? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Can new variants of the coronavirus keep emerging?

The coronavirus that caused the pandemic can keep evolving as long as people are still getting infected, but that doesn’t mean new variants will emerge as regularly or that they’ll be more dangerous.

What type of mask should I be wearing? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

What’s the latest advice on the type of mask I should wear?

Health experts say it’s important to find a mask that’s comfortable so you’ll actually wear it as the coronavirus continues to circulate.

Can I get the flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Can I get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time?

Health officials say it’s OK to get your COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time. The U.S.

Am I fully vaccinated without a COVID-19 vaccine booster? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Am I fully vaccinated without a COVID-19 vaccine booster?

People who got a two-dose vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson shot are considered fully vaccinated — even without a booster.

Is the delta variant worse for kids than the original virus?(AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Is the delta variant of the coronavirus worse for kids?

The delta variant is causing a surge in infections among kids in the U.S. and elsewhere, but experts say there are no strong signs that it is causing more severe disease for young patients.

Can kids be harmed wearing masks to protect against COVID? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

Can kids be harmed wearing masks to protect against COVID?

Experts say there’s no scientific evidence showing that masks cause harm to kids’ health despite claims to the contrary on social media and elsewhere.

What is the mu variant? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

What is the mu variant of the coronavirus?

The mu variant of the coronavirus was first identified in Colombia in January and has since caused isolated outbreaks in South America, Europe and the United States.

What can employers do if workers avoid COVID-19 vaccines? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

What can employers do if workers avoid COVID-19 vaccines?

More companies are requiring COVID-19 vaccines and taking actions to motivate employees into getting their shots.

What is a COVID-19 vaccine passport, and do I need one?(AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

What is a COVID-19 vaccine passport, and do I need one?

“Vaccine passports” are digital or paper documents showing you were vaccinated against COVID-19, and they could help you get into a growing number of places.

What changed with the full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

What does full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine mean?

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been given the Food and Drug Administration’s full approval, meaning it has now undergone the same rigorous regulatory review as dozens of other established vaccines.

How are COVID-19 vaccines being distributed globally? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

What is being done to distribute COVID-19 vaccines globally?

Several groups are working to get COVID-19 vaccines to poor countries, but the efforts are falling short of what’s needed to curb outbreaks globally.

What should I know about COVID-19 vaccines if I’m pregnant? AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin

Do the COVID-19 vaccines affect my chances of pregnancy?

Medical experts say there’s no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, influence your chances of getting pregnant.