Contagious how long

Skip to content. First things first: Do you have a cold or the flu? Read: Is It a Cold or the Flu? When can I go back to work or school? The contagious period for the flu can last as long as days from when you first felt sick. An ounce of prevention. Follow Us. Toggle Main Menu.

Alert icon. Positive tests: Isolation, quarantine, and re-testing FAQ. Topics Social Distancing Social Distancing Page last reviewed: 13 November Next review due: 13 November Home Common health questions Infections Back to Infections.

How long is someone infectious after a viral infection? The infectious period often begins before you start to feel unwell or notice a rash. Bronchitis The length of time that bronchitis is infectious varies, depending on its cause. Chickenpox Chickenpox is infectious from 2 days before the spots appear to until they have crusted over, usually 5 days after they first appeared.

Common cold The common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Flu Flu is usually most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further 3 to 7 days. Children and people with lowered immune systems may be infectious for a few days longer. Glandular fever Glandular fever isn't particularly contagious and can usually only be spread through direct contact with saliva, which is why it's sometimes called "the kissing disease".

There are still some outliers, but most patients fall within the time frames of contagiousness. Severe cases of illness from COVID and immunocompromised persons would need individual advise from infectious disease experts because they are capable of being contagious longer than others. This article was published on.

What our experts say Recent research has shown that a person infected with COVID may be able to spread the virus up to 72 hours before they begin to have any symptoms and up to 10 days after symptoms disappear.

Context and background Some viruses are capable of replicating themselves, shedding and spreading even after symptoms have stopped. Resources When you can be around others U. When you can be around others U.