How long is someone contagious with the flu?

Author: Prof. Ricky Fahey PhD  |  Last update: Sunday, June 29, 2025

Most healthy children and adults with the flu can infect others beginning about one day before developing any symptoms and up to seven days after the symptoms resolve. People with weakened immune systems can remain contagious for up to several weeks.

When are you no longer contagious from the flu?

Contagious period with the flu

Flu takes one to four days to incubate in your system after you come into contact with the virus. You have the potential to spread flu before symptom appear. You are contagious for about three to seven days after symptoms appear.

Can you be around someone with the flu and not get it?

Even if you try your best to stay healthy when someone in the house has the flu, there's still a chance that you'll become infected. The flu causes symptoms that range from mild to severe, and if you live with certain medical conditions such as heart disease, getting the flu can increase your risk of complications.

How long should a person with the flu be quarantined?

People with suspected or confirmed flu, who do not have a fever, should stay home from work at least 5 days after the onset of symptoms. People with flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness.

When are you no longer contagious?

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is probably not contagious after 10 days of infection, especially if your symptoms have completely resolved. Even if mild symptoms remain, you are likely not contagious after 10 days.

How Long Are You Contagious With The Flu?

What are the five stages of flu?

You may have the flu if you experience: 1 Fever or chills 2 Cough 3 Sore throat 4 Body aches 5 Fatigue If you or a loved one exhibits these symptoms, it's essential to take precautions. Stay indoors, rest, and let us help you feel better. 🏡💊 Brashear's Pharmacy offers FREE delivery within a 5- mile radius.

How do you know the flu is ending?

You will start to notice your fever is going down and less achiness in your muscles, but a cough and sore throat are normal at this point. You will still feel very tired, and may have some chest discomfort, making you want to rest in bed all day. On day 5, you should start to see the end of this illness.

How long should you wait to be around people when you have the flu?

“You could feel perfect and still be shedding virus,” says Doomun. “But you can significantly reduce the risk of being contagious by waiting to return until you've gone 24 to 36 hours without a fever with no medicines on board. Meaning, no fever-reducing medication such as Aleve or Tylenol.”

How long do flu germs live on bedding?

Flu germs live 8 to 12 hours on fabric

Bedding, especially pillowcases, and your clothes may be important hotspots for germs.

What day is the flu the worst?

A bout of the flu typically follows this pattern:
  • Days 1–3: Sudden appearance of fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a stuffy nose.
  • Day 4: Fever and muscle aches decrease. ...
  • Day 8: Symptoms decrease.

How to avoid getting the flu if you live with someone who has it?

Wash your hands often, especially after touching the sick person or their tissues or laundry. Wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to further protect yourself and others. People who experience emergency warning signs of flu complications should obtain medical care right away.

Are you contagious with a 99 fever?

Everything from the common cold to the flu as well as COVID-19 are contagious and can be spread from one person to another. Symptoms that should cause you to stay home instead of visiting with family and friends, or working, include: Fevers higher than 100.4 degrees. Recurring vomiting or diarrhea.

When should I stop flu isolation?

If you have the flu...

Self-isolate: This means you should avoid close contact with other people until 24 hours after your fever has resolved and your body temperature has remained normal without fever-reducing drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

When can you return to work after a flu?

Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

Can you be exposed to the flu and not get it?

To answer that question, University of Michigan researchers did the first study of its kind: They infected 17 healthy people with the flu virus and discovered that everyone who is exposed to the flu actually is affected by it, but their bodies just have a different way of reacting to it.

At what point is the flu no longer contagious?

Most healthy children and adults with the flu can infect others beginning about one day before developing any symptoms and up to seven days after the symptoms resolve. People with weakened immune systems can remain contagious for up to several weeks.

How long to quarantine with flu?

Some people, including young children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer periods of time. Not everyone with flu will have a fever. People with suspected or confirmed flu, who do not have a fever, should stay home from work at least 5 days after the onset of symptoms.

What kills the flu virus in the body?

If you have a severe infection or are at high risk of complications from a flu infection, your healthcare professional may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat the flu. These medicines can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir (Xofluza) and zanamivir (Relenza).

How to speed up flu recovery?

How to recover from flu quickly – 7 tips
  1. Rest up. The most important thing is to get plenty of rest when you're unwell. ...
  2. Stay at home. ...
  3. Take over-the-counter medication if you need. ...
  4. Drink plenty of fluids. ...
  5. Eat healthy meals. ...
  6. Stay propped up. ...
  7. Be kind to yourself.

How to tell if flu is turning into pneumonia?

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
  1. Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus.
  2. Fever, sweating and shaking chills.
  3. Shortness of breath.
  4. Rapid, shallow breathing.
  5. Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough.
  6. Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue.

How long does flu take to wear off?

How long do symptoms last. The symptoms of flu usually develop 1 to 3 days after becoming infected. Most people will feel better within a week. But, you may have a lingering cough and still feel very tired for a few more weeks.

What's the worst day of the flu?

You will feel the worst around day 2 or 3, but once you reach day 3, the worst is over. Your immune system is working hard to contain the infection during this stage, so you are less contagious since you are still in the contagious phase of the flu.

What is usually the first symptom of flu?

During the early stages of the flu, people often experience: A fever (a temperature of 100.4°F or higher). Body aches. A headache.

How many days can you test positive for the flu?

Testing specimens collected within 3-4 days of illness onset (when influenza viral shedding is highest) is more likely to yield positive RIDT results if the patient has influenza.

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