People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children and some people with weakened immune systems may pass the virus for longer than 7 days.
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There's no exact time frame that's the same for every person with the flu but, in general, the CDC says that the incubation period of the flu can range between one and four days, with the average length of time being two days.
Once you have the influenza virus, you can spread it to other people about a day before you first notice symptoms. Remember, the average incubation period for the flu is about two days. So, if you come into contact with virus on Saturday morning, you can potentially start spreading it to others by Sunday evening.
It may take one to four days after exposure to the influenza virus for symptoms to develop. If you have the flu, you’ll be contagious one day before developing symptoms and up to five to seven days after becoming ill. Younger children or people with a weakened immune system may be contagious for longer.
How long is the incubation period of the flu? There's no exact time frame that's the same for every person with the flu but, in general, the CDC says that the incubation period of the flu can range between one and four days, with the average length of time being two days.
Differences: If a person has COVID-19, they could be contagious for a longer time than if they have flu.
You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 just by looking at the symptoms alone because they have some of the same symptoms. That's why testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis.
Yes. It is possible have flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
Influenza (the flu) and COVID-19, the illness caused by the pandemic coronavirus, are both contagious respiratory illnesses, meaning they affect your lungs and breathing, and can be spread to others. Although the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu can look similar, the two illnesses are caused by different viruses.
Early symptoms reported by some people include fatigue, headache, sore throat or fever. Others experience a loss of smell or taste. COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are mild at first, but then become more intense over five to seven days, with worsening cough and shortness of breath.
Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19. A body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher is generally seen in people with COVID-19, although some people may feel as though they have fever even though their temperature readings are normal.
>People who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after their infection.
'A long-term pattern' According to some infectious disease researchers, Covid-19 reinfections are likely to become more common as time goes on and different variants continue to circulate—with some people potentially seeing third or fourth reinfections within a year.
See full answerSimilarities:Both COVID-19 and flu can result in complications, including:PneumoniaRespiratory failureAcute respiratory distress syndrome (fluid in the lungs)Sepsis (a life-threatening illness caused by the body’s extreme response to an infection)Cardiac injury (for example, heart attacks and stroke)Multiple-organ failure (respiratory failure, kidney failure, shock)Worsening of chronic medical conditions (involving the lungs, heart, or nervous system or diabetes)Inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissuesSecondary infections (bacterial or fungal infections that can occur in people who have already been infected with flu or COVID-19)
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)Also called: Coronavirus, COVID-19 Summary COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is an illness caused by a virus. This virus is a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.
Coronaviruses didn't just pop up recently. They're a large family of viruses that have been around for a long time. Many of them can cause a variety of illnesses, from a mild cough to severe respiratory illnesses. The new (or “novel”) coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is one of several known to infect humans.
In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that originated in China. The virus is now known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease it causes is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Cold symptoms can differ from person to person, but they generally appear about one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. In most c...
Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after infection. Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus infection can come on v...
A 2013 survey conducted by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases revealed that 41 percent of people think the flu is only contagious afte...
When complications develop, a person will likely be sick for longer than a week or two, depending on the severity of the complication, how quickly...
With some viral illnesses, once you have been infected with it or have been vaccinated against it, you're immune for life.With the flu, however, im...
To better predict how long the flu will last, take steps to reduce your risk of contracting the virus and experiencing severe symptoms. Consider the following steps, as suggested in the Harvard Special Report A Guide to Women's Health: Fifty and Forward. Get an annual flu vaccine. Wash your hands with soap and water before eating ...
Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days. For people who've had a flu shot, the symptoms may last a shorter amount of time, or be less severe. For other people, the symptoms may last longer. Even when symptoms resolve, you may continue to feel fatigued.
Take pain relievers to lower your fever and relieve the aches, such as: If you are at high risk of complications, and if it is early in the infection, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug for treating flu, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu, generic versions).
the very young. people 65 or older. people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, or diabetes. pregnant women. people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.
Some people are at increased risk for complications from influenza. These people include: 1 the very young 2 people 65 or older 3 people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, or diabetes 4 pregnant women 5 people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
Smokers are more likely to get the flu than nonsmokers. These steps won't guarantee that you'll escape the flu this year, but they may help prevent it. And they may help reduce the amount of time the flu lasts if you do become infected with the virus. – By Heidi Godman. Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter.
They don’t kill the influenza virus, however. Antiviral medications must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms in order to be effective.
It may take one to four days after exposure to the influenza virus for symptoms to develop. If you have the flu, you’ll be contagious. Trusted Source. one day before developing symptoms and up to five to seven days after becoming ill. Younger children or people with a weakened immune system may be contagious for longer.
The influenza virus can also survive on surfaces, such as doorknobs and tables, for up to 24 hours. Viruses live longer on materials such as stainless steel, plastic, and other hard surfaces.
Cold symptoms will typically resolve in about 7 to 10 days and tend to not come on as fast as the flu. Flu symptoms may last for a couple of weeks. Learn more about the differences between a cold and the flu.
However, a cough and feelings of weakness or fatigue can last for two weeks or longer .
Treatment and home remedies. If you’re sick, be sure to drink plenty of liquids and get plenty of rest. You can also take over-the-counter pain and fever relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), to help relieve your symptoms.
are of Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native) descent. are pregnant or two weeks postpartum. are extremely obese (BMI of 40 or more) live in a nursing home or long-term care facility. have a weakened immune system, such as the kind seen in people with cancer or HIV.
So, if you pick up the flu from a friend who is sick, the time between when you hung out and when you start showing symptoms is the incubation period. Your body begins mounting a response to the virus as soon as you're exposed to it, through something called your innate immune system, or the one you were born with that helps keep harmful materials ...
How long is the incubation period of the flu? There's no exact time frame that's the same for every person with the flu but, in general, the CDC says that the incubation period of the flu can range between one and four days, with the average length of time being two days. People with the flu are the most contagious the first three ...
During the 2019-2020 flu season, for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there were up to 56 million illnesses, 740,000 hospitalizations, and 62,000 deaths from the flu in the US.
Influenza, aka the flu, is a contagious respiratory infection caused by several flu viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Unfortunately, that also means you can spread influenza to plenty of other people during this time—again, without having a clue that you even have the flu in the first place. It's known as the flu's incubation period, and "it's a big reason why the flu is so easily spread," Kathryn Boling, MD, a primary care physician at Baltimore's Mercy Medical ...
Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after infection. Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus infection can come on very suddenly. (2) The first signs of the flu are often a fever or chills, accompanied by headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue. (2)
The most common cold symptoms include fatigue, sore or scratchy throat, nasal congestion or stuffiness, and a runny nose, followed by sneezing and coughing. Fever is not typical with a cold, but a low-grade fever isn’t out of the question, according to the Merck Manual. ( 3)
(1) Symptoms usually disappear in 4 to 10 days, although a cough often lasts into the second week. (3) A cold may last longer or be more severe in people who have chronic health issues. (1)
As the illness progresses, a person may have warm, flushed skin, watery or bloodshot eyes, a severe cough that produces phlegm, and nasal congestion. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, especially among children, according to the Merck Manual. ( 4)
A cold and the flu are both respiratory infections, but they’re caused by different viruses. A cold can be caused by more than 200 distinct viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while there are only a handful of viruses that cause the flu.
Signs of severe complications that should prompt you to seek medical attention include the following, according to the CDC ( 6 ): Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Purple or blue discoloration of the lips. Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
When complications develop, a person will likely be sick for longer than a week or two, depending on the severity of the complication, how quickly a person receives treatment for it, and how well the patient responds to treatment.
The CDC recommends four FDA-approved drugs to treat the flu: baloxavir marboxil ( Xofluza ), oseltamivir ( Tamiflu ), peramivir ( Rapivab ), and zanamivir ( Relenza ). These drugs could shorten the time that you’re sick. And they might shorten the length of time that you can spread the flu.
The virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours.
Typically, you’re contagious from 1 day before you have any symptoms. You stay that way for 5 to 7 days after you start feeling sick. Kids and people with weak immune systems may shed the virus even longer. The virus can be spread until symptoms disappear.
When it comes to the flu, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. Listen to your doctor: Stay away from people when you’re sick, even if you start to feel better. It’s the only way not to spread the flu.
Cold and other viral infections have a relatively short incubation period. After the viruses have entered the body, it usually takes about two to eight days for the first symptoms to appear in the case of a cold.
Tonsillitis is very common, especially in smaller children. It lasts for about one to two weeks and is mainly characterised by severe sore throat. Adults sometimes get pneumonia in addition to the common cold. Pneumonia is mainly manifested by coughing and respiratory problems. It may last for several weeks.
This is a strain on the body. If you exert your body additionally during this time, the power used for this is missing, simply put, in the defence against the cold. Recovery can take many weeks or even months. Doctors call this a chronic cold.
Antiviral Medications: If you're at high risk for complications from the flu and you know you were exposed to it, talk to your healthcare provider about taking antiviral medications. It can help prevent influenza in some people and will reduce the severity of the symptoms in those who do get 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. 1
If that person's immune system isn't able to kill off the virus, he or she will develop symptoms within one to four days of being infected. They are also now spreading the virus themselves, even before symptoms start. How Germs Are Transmitted.
This is one of the reasons that they're more common during the winter. Running a humidifier in your home during the winter can help keep your nasal passages moist. And while there's no guarantee that this will prevent you from getting sick, it can't hurt (as long as you keep it properly cleaned).
If you do get sick, stay home. Know when to call in sick to work , wash your hands frequently, and make sure those that come into contact with you do the same. Cover your cough and do everything you can to avoid being around people that are at high risk for serious complications from the flu.
During the cold winter months, the flu spreads rapidly. We know that it is highly contagious and can be spread before you even have symptoms. But do you know how it is spread and passed from person to person so easily? Contrary to popular belief, it's not due to cold weather.
Vitamin C: Although vitamin C is widely used and has many benefits, there is no scientific proof that it will help you avoid an illness such as the flu or a cold. Humidifiers: Evidence suggests that viruses such as the cold and flu spread more easily in cold, dry air.