Flu Facts: Incubation Period and When Its Contagious – Healthline

This period of time before you get symptoms of infection is called the incubation period. In cases of the flu, this is usually between one and four days.

Influenza, often just called the flu, is a respiratory illness thats caused by a virus. Its contagious, meaning it spreads from person to person.

While influenza viruses can circulate year-round, theyre more common in the fall and winter months of the year. This period is referred to as the flu season.

But once you get the virus, how long does it take to start feeling flu symptoms? Read on to learn more about how the flu develops and when it becomes contagious.

While the general incubation period for the flu is usually between one and four days, this period can vary from person to person. The average incubation period for the flu is two days.

This means that, on average, people start to develop flu symptoms about two days after coming into contact with the influenza virus.

Several things can influence how long the incubation period is for the flu, including:

Once you have the influenza virus, you can spread it to other people about a day before you first notice symptoms.

Remember, the average incubation period for the flu is about two days. So, if you come into contact with virus on Saturday morning, you can potentially start spreading it to others by Sunday evening. And by Monday afternoon, youll likely start feeling the dreaded body aches that come with the flu.

Viral shedding refers to the release of the virus from your body into your surrounding environment. It tends to peak during your first day experiencing symptoms. This means youre usually most contagious on this day. Once you develop symptoms, youll still be contagious for another five to seven days.

Children, older adults, and those with a weakened immune system may be contagious for a longer period of time.

Its often hard to know when you have the flu coming on. Unlike the symptoms of the common cold, which develop gradually, the symptoms of the flu often come on suddenly.

The common symptoms of the flu can include:

Children may also experience nausea, vomiting, or ear pain when they have the flu.

Symptoms of the flu typically last anywhere from three to seven days, thought you might feel lingering fatigue or weakness for up to two weeks. Learn more about how long the flu lasts.

The flu mostly spreads through respiratory particles that are released when your cough and sneeze. If you have the flu and sneeze in a crowded area, those around you can inhale the particles of your sneeze and get the virus.

The virus can also be transmitted through coming into contact with objects or surfaces, such as a door handle or keyboard, that are coated in these respiratory particles. If you touch a contaminated object and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you may get the flu.

If you already have the flu, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of passing it to others:

The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection thats common in the colder months of the year. Once youve encountered the virus, it can take between one and four days to develop symptoms. Once you have the virus, youll be contagious starting about a day before you notice symptoms.

If you want to avoid the flu altogether, the Centers for Disease Control recommends getting the seasonal flu shot as your best bet. Heres a look at the pros and cons of the flu shot.

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Flu Facts: Incubation Period and When Its Contagious - Healthline