AnswersDriveFor colds, most individuals become contagious about a day before cold symptoms develop and remain contagious for about five to seven days. Some children may pass the flu viruses for longer than seven days (occasionally for two weeks). Colds are considered upper respiratory infections.
Are all virus contagious?
Infectious diseases are caused by microscopic germs (such as bacteria or viruses) that get into the body and cause problems. Some — but not all — infectious diseases spread directly from one person to another. Infectious diseases that spread from person to person are said to be contagious.
1
How long should you stay home from work if you have the flu?
CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the need to use a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®.
2
How long are you contagious when you have bronchitis?
Chronic bronchitis isn't contagious, but it's a serious health problem that requires a doctor's care. Acute, which can last for 1 to 3 weeks. It's usually caused by cold or flu viruses. Since these viruses are contagious, acute bronchitis usually is, too.
3
How long does it take for germs to die?
The life of a virus (technically, viruses are not alive) depends on what type of virus it is, the conditions of the environment it is in, as well as the type of surface it is on. Cold viruses have been shown to survive on indoor surfaces for approximately seven days. Flu viruses, however, are active for only 24 hours.
4
Can you kiss someone with a cold?
"Unless you have a bad cough, and some of the respiratory mucus has made its way into your saliva, the cold virus will not be transmitted by kissing." Most of us think colds are highly contagious. This is because the mucus from the respiratory tract of someone infected has to get directly into your respiratory tract.
5
How long do you have to be on Tamiflu before you are not contagious?
About a week. 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 may be able to spread the virus for even longer, until all of their symptoms fade.
6
What is the difference between a heavy cold and flu?
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
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Can you get the flu twice in the same year?
Unfortunately, no. Experts say it is possible to catch the flu twice in one season. But a smaller portion of people (around 10 to 15 percent) are getting the H1N1 strain or the influenza B virus, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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How long does it take to get the flu after being exposed?
How long does it take to develop symptoms of influenza after being exposed? The incubation period of influenza is usually two days but can range from one to four days. Typical influenza disease is characterized by abrupt onset of fever, aching muscles, sore throat, and non- productive cough.
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Is the flu virus contagious?
The Flu Is Contagious. Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body.
10
How long does it take to get a cold from someone else?
Cold symptoms usually appear 24-72 hours after you come into contact with the cold virus. The virus that causes the common cold can spread quickly. You can catch a cold if you are near someone who has one or if you touch something that has been contaminated with the virus.
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How long does it take for antibiotics to not be contagious?
You're usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, although this time period can sometimes vary. For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longer to absorb them or if you're taking other medication that interacts with the antibiotics.
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How long does it take for a cold virus to incubate?
The common cold -- like chickenpox, measles and many other viral diseases -- can be spread before and after symptoms emerge. The time between infection and signs of illness, or the incubation period, is about three to five days for most viral diseases, but colds move a little faster.
13
How long is a cold infectious to others?
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 two weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first two to three days and this is when you're most likely to spread the virus.
14
How long are you contagious with the stomach flu?
For example, most common cause of stomach flu is Norovirus. It has an incubation period of about 12 - 48 hours, and can cause the person to be contagious during the incubation period and for as long as they shed virus (usually about three days after symptoms stop but sometimes up to two weeks).
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How contagious is a sinus infection?
If your sinus infection is caused by a virus, it's possible to spread that virus to another person. This could cause them to develop a cold, which could then develop into a sinus infection. Bacteria and fungi can sometimes also cause infections. If bacteria cause a sinus infection, then it's not contagious.
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Is the flu and airborne virus?
Routes of flu transmission include: 1) direct or indirect (e.g., doorknobs, keyboards) contact with an infected person, 2) contact via large droplet spray from a respiratory fluid (via coughs and sneezes), and 3) inhalation of fine airborne particles, which are generated by the release of smaller, virus-containing
17
How long does it take for Tamiflu to take effect?
Both adults and children may notice an improvement in their symptoms within two days of taking Tamiflu. However, Tamiflu only works if taken as directed, which means you must take Tamiflu within two days of noticing symptoms.
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How long is a person contagious with the flu?
Most of the time, you will become contagious about 24 to 72 hours after contracting the influenza virus and remain that way for up to five days after the onset of symptoms. But children or people with compromised immune systems can be contagious to those around them for up to two weeks.
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How long is the incubation period for the flu?
The typical incubation period for influenza is 1—4 days (average: 2 days). 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.
20
How long does it take for a cold sore to not be contagious?
Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). HSV-1 is very contagious. You can spread the virus even when you don't have any symptoms of a cold sore, though you're usually most contagious when you have them. Cold sores are contagious until they go away completely, which usually takes about two weeks.