{"id":15679,"date":"2020-09-29T09:00:40","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=15679"},"modified":"2024-05-28T09:36:48","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T13:36:48","slug":"how-long-is-the-flu-contagious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-is-the-flu-contagious\/","title":{"rendered":"How long is the flu contagious?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The flu is a contagious respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu virus, or influenza, spreads via droplets when someone who has it coughs, talks, or sneezes. These droplets can make their way into the noses, mouths, and ultimately the lungs of other people and make them sick. So, how long is the flu contagious for?<\/span><\/p>\n

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RELATED: <\/b>Is the flu airborne? Learn how the flu spreads<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How long can I spread the flu for?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The flu is <\/span>contagious<\/span><\/a> from the day before symptoms start to five to seven days after becoming sick. The incubation period of the flu, or how long it can take to develop symptoms after exposure and infection, is about <\/span>one to four days<\/span><\/a>. One reason the flu spreads so quickly is that someone can be contagious and not show signs of being sick until a few days after catching the flu virus.<\/span><\/p>\n

The contagious periods of the flu, common cold, and stomach bug are very similar. With the common cold, you can become contagious one to two days before symptoms start, and you can remain contagious for up to two weeks. The same is true for the stomach bug, and you won\u2019t stop being contagious for several days after you\u2019ve completely recovered. As far as the coronavirus is concerned, <\/span>Harvard Health<\/span><\/a> reports that COVID-19 can be contagious 48 to 72 hours before the first onset of symptoms. The contagious period ends about 10 days after symptoms resolve. Some infectious disease experts still recommend 14 days of isolation.<\/span><\/p>\n

One reason viral infections like the flu are so common is that they can spread easily between people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<\/span>CDC<\/span><\/a>) says that the flu can spread from a sick person to healthy people who are only six feet away. This usually happens when the sick person coughs, talks, or sneezes. However, if a healthy person touches a surface contaminated with the flu virus and then that person touches their eyes, nose, or mouth, they\u2019re also at risk for getting the flu.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are four types of influenza viruses: influenza A, B, C, and D. Type A is the primary cause of flu season epidemics, but influenza B can also cause flu epidemics. Influenza C is known to cause less serious respiratory illnesses. Finally, influenza D viruses aren\u2019t known to infect people and mainly target cattle. Although there are so many influenza strains, they all cause infections that last about the same amount of time. The severity of the illness may vary depending on the strain though.<\/span><\/p>\n

When am I most contagious?<\/span><\/h2>\n

People with the flu are the most contagious during the first three to four days after symptoms begin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
How long is the flu contagious?<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1 day before symptoms develop<\/b><\/td>\n3-4 days after symptoms begin<\/b><\/td>\n5-7 days after symptoms begin<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Start becoming contagious<\/span><\/td>\nMost contagious<\/span><\/td>\nStill contagious even if you feel completely better<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Note: This table is only a generalization. The CDC reports that young children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious after seven days.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Symptoms of the flu can start to appear anywhere from one to four days after getting the flu virus, and even though most cases of the flu resolve in a week, symptoms can last up to several weeks for some people. Here are the most common symptoms of the flu:<\/span><\/p>\n