How Long is the Flu Contagious?
The flu is contagious from about 1 day before symptoms start until about 5 days after symptoms start. How to protect yourself and others from the flu.
How Long is the Flu Contagious?
The flu is contagious from about 1 day before symptoms start until about 5 days after symptoms start. Some people, especially young children and older adults, may be contagious for longer.
The flu spreads mainly by coughing and sneezing. When someone who is sick with the flu coughs or sneezes, they release small droplets of mucus and saliva into the air. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
The flu can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes.
Symptoms of the flu can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea.
If you think you have the flu, it is important to see a doctor right away. There is no cure for the flu, but there are antiviral drugs that can help shorten the illness and make it less severe.
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent the spread of the flu, including:
- Get a flu vaccine each year.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself and others from the flu.
How the Flu Spreads
The flu is spread through respiratory droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
The flu can also spread by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes.
How Long is the Flu Contagious?
The flu is contagious from about 1 day before symptoms start until about 5 days after symptoms start. Some people, especially young children and older adults, may be contagious for longer.
How to Prevent the Flu
The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine is made to protect against the three or four influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common during the upcoming season.
Other ways to prevent the flu include:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
What to Do If You Have the Flu
If you think you have the flu, it is important to see a doctor right away. There is no cure for the flu, but there are antiviral drugs that can help shorten the illness and make it less severe.
Antiviral drugs are most effective when they are started within 2 days of getting sick.
How to Feel Better If You Have the Flu
There is no cure for the flu, but there are things you can do to feel better, including:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Take over-the-counter medications to relieve fever, aches, and pains.
- See a doctor if you have a fever that lasts more than 3 days, a cough that lasts more than 10 days, or if your symptoms get worse.
