How Long is the flu Contagious?
How Long is the flu Contagious?
With the start of the flu season this year, many people are concerned about infecting their loved ones and do like to know for how long they can remain the potential source of infection when they have flu.
People who are infected with flu can actually transmit the infection even before they begin experiencing flu symptoms. It is therefore necessary to become extra careful.
For How Long is the flu Contagious? It depends on some variables within individuals. Some people who are infected with the influenza virus can actually transmit the illness before they begin to feel any symptoms.
Usually if you become infected, you will become contagious about 24 to 72 hours after contracting the influenza virus and you can remain contagious even up to five days after the symptoms begin.
Children, elderly, sick or people with compromised immune systems can be contagious to those around them for up to two weeks in some cases.
Flu is most commonly spread by coming into contact with respiratory moisture droplets from an infected person through sneezing or coughing.
Touching a surface tainted with respiratory droplets – and then putting your hands up to your nose or mouth – can also infect you.
Flu symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Warm, flushed skin and watery eyes
- Weakness or fatigue
- Sore throat
