When is someone with the flu contagious

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List of Partners vendors. If you have been exposed to someone with the flu, you may be concerned about catching it. You may also wonder how long it takes to get sick after you have been exposed and how long you are contagious when you have it. The typical flu incubation period—the time between exposure and the start of symptoms—is between 24 hours and four days, with the average being two days. This means that if you are exposed to the influenza virus and become infected, you will start to experience flu symptoms , such as fever and body aches , anywhere between 24 hours and four days after the exposure.

Another factor that contributes to how the flu spreads is when exactly you may be contagious. Unlike many common illnesses that are only contagious when you're experiencing symptoms, the flu can be contagious 24 hours before your symptoms appear, so you're likely out there spreading the virus before you ever know that you have it. Add that to the number of people who try to push through their symptoms and expose others to their germs when they are sick, and it's easy to see why the flu affects so many people each year.

After symptoms start, adults can spread the virus for five to 10 days. Adults are most contagious with the flu from 24 hours before symptoms start to three to five days afterward. Children can spread the virus for longer—up to 10 days, and sometimes even beyond that. People who have serious immune system problems can spread influenza for weeks, or even months, after they get it.

Flu symptoms generally don't come on gradually. More often, people describe the onset of the flu as if they were "hit by a truck. The flu is definitely not just a bad cold—it is something else entirely.

Antihistamines can also help clear up a stuffy nose, but older ones such as diphenhydramine Benadryl can make you sleepy. Colds are usually mild, but they can sometimes lead to complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Shop for nasal decongestant sprays. Your sneezing, sniffling nose, and watery eyes might not be contagious at all.

If they happen at certain times of the year like spring and they stick around for a few weeks or months, you could have allergies.

Allergies can be triggered by irritants in your environment such as:. Shop for antihistamines. Most respiratory infections clear up within a few days. Stay home until you feel better. Also, hold off on returning to work if your treatments are causing side effects such as excessive drowsiness. You might have a bacterial infection that needs treatment with an antibiotic. Learn more about the ways you can treat a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, at home, including tips on decongestants, humidifiers, and steam remedies.

Steam inhalers are used as personal saunas for skin care or supporting respiratory health. We created a list of steam inhalers to suit your needs. You may have heard that you can sweat out a cold, but is this an effective remedy? Learn more here. Typically, postnasal drip can be alleviated at home.

Try these remedies and OTC products to relieve your symptoms. Salt water gargles are touted as an effective and easy home remedy for a sore throat. We explain why, plus additional benefits. Can apple cider vinegar be used for colds? The common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be infectious for around 2 weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you're most likely to spread the virus.

Flu is usually most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further 3 to 7 days. Glandular fever isn't particularly contagious and can usually only be spread through direct contact with saliva, which is why it's sometimes called "the kissing disease".

Around 2 to 4 days later, a red-brown spotty rash develops that normally fades after about a week. Mumps causes your salivary glands to swell. These glands are just below and in front of your ears. People with rubella should stay off school or work, and avoid contact with pregnant women where possible, for 6 days after the rash firsts develops. You can't spread shingles to others. Symptoms can begin about 2 days but can range from 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Some people can be infected with a flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those people may still spread the virus to others. You may be able to pass on flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address:. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Influenza Flu.