Adults are most contagious with the flu from 24 hoursbeforesymptoms start to three to five days afterward. Influenza isspread through droplets, which means if you cough, sneeze, or get any droplet matter from your respiratory system onto anything, it can be spread to someone else. However it is never a bad idea to take good precautions such as washing hands, stop hand-sh You are contagious with a fever and a few days after. There's a spectrum here. I had the swine flu. Some say you can't spread it 24 hrs after your last, . Head lice has over-the-counter treatments you may purchase at your local drug store. What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. Policy. Certain groups of people are not only at a higher risk of catching the flu, but they are also more likely to get very sick, have complications, and even die. Did you know that you can spread the flu to others a day before you even feel sick, and for several days after? Your healthcare provider will prescribe the strength that is right for you. Pinworms and ringworm are also incredibly contagious, especially for children, but they usually do not require someone to miss school or work. Xofluza must be taken within the first two days (48 hours) after flu symptoms begin. What is Tamiflu and what is it approved for? Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. By the next day, you can start passing the flu to others. Most experts think that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. Tamiflu: Is It Best To Help You Fight the Flu? Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Began sat. You are no longer contagious anymore when you do not have a fever for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication. A. Your children would qualify for tamiflu (oseltamivir) to help prevent illness. If so, how long? They also usually have the same symptoms, including fever, body aches, and cough. Most generally healthy people will start to "bounce back" from the flu after about five days. The incubation period for the flu ranges from one to four days. It can only mean one thing. If you have tested positive for Influenza A/B in the doctors office, the CDC has several recommendations for you to protect others.Limit contact with . Your provider may want you to come into the office to be checked out. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Research shows that about 8% of the U.S. population gets sick from flu each season. Whether a child or an adult, Alison Pittman, PhD, RN, CPN, CNE, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Nursing, gives some basic guidelines on how to tell if you should stay home with a short-term, possibly contagious illness. Your sore throat, body aches, and congestion will be severe. However, the flu affects different people in different ways. The average flu incubation period is about two days. And chances are, without thinking about it, youre going to do it again in about two minutes. Influenza spreads mainly by respiratory droplets that contain copies of the virus that have replicated in your body. People who have serious immune system problems can spread influenza for weeks, or even months, after they get it. When Should I Go to the Hospital for the Flu? Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Pittman says low-grade fevers are a good thing, because your body is actively fighting an infection. Some schools and workplaces have specific guidelines for when you can return to work after the flu or other sicknesses. This helps some patients if it is started soon enough. The day after that, you may start feeling ill yourself. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby (usually within about 6 feet away) or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Flu viruses can be detected in infected people 1 day before symptoms begin and up to 5-7 days after getting sick. The flu can be a serious illnesseven a deadly one. Some pharmacies may need to make a liquid for patients from the pills instead. The CDC recommends to call your primary care provider if cold symptoms last longer than 10 days, or if a child younger than three months of age is showing symptoms. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. The first stage of the flu actually starts before you even know you have it. If you still have a cough, your provider's office may give you a mask to wear in the waiting room to help prevent you from spreading your germs to others. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. The next flu stage is the second day of having the fluwhich can be pretty miserable. Help Millions of people find the right doctor and care they need, Get immediate care and visit with providers from the comfort of your home, or anywhere, Urgent care centers can be faster and cheaper for situations that are not life threatening, Doctors and patients discuss the latest medical treatments and health tips, Search prescription drugs for why theyre used, side effects and more, Back and Neck Surgery (Except Spinal Fusion). We couldn't do what we do without your generous support. Considering a multivitamin and possibly vitamin D supplements to support your immune system. What are the most common side effects of Tamiflu? Am i ok to run errands as long as im cautious around others? The Tamiflu (oseltamivir) will shorten the course of the flu, but it must be taken soon after the onset of symptoms. The second stage of the flu is actually day one. You may still have a lingering cough. Tamiflu has been shown to lessen the amount of time people are sick with the flu. Stay home until you are fever free for 24 hours without the help of a fever-reducing medication. In children, the flu is contagious for up to 10 days, and sometimes even beyond that. Rare cases of allergic reactions, including serious skin rashes, have happened in people who take Tamiflu. Researchers find that taking oseltamivir within 48 hours of symptom onset can shave approximately 1 day from a typical seven-to-10-day illness. Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. A quarter of Texas rural hospitals are at risk of closing as federal COVID-19 support wanes, according to a study presented this week by the Texas Hospital Association. How to Tell If Your Case of the Flu Is Getting Serious. Listen to your doctor: Stay away from people when youre sick, even if you start to feel better. However, since young children may not practice proper hand hygiene or remember to cover their mouth when they cough, they do tend to spread the flu (and other infectious illnesses) more readily. If you feel that it's not improving, let your provider know. Using the Influenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO) diary to evaluate symptoms of influenza viral infection in a healthy human challenge model. If that person's immune system isn't able to kill off the virus, he or she will develop symptoms within oneto four days of being infected. The same rule of thumb goes for adults too. But a good rule of thumb, Dr. Mossad says, is to stay home until youve been fever-free for at least 24 hours, without using fever-reducing medications, like acetaminophen (Tylenol). Whether the flu, a cold or a stomach bug, you may wonder if you or your kids are contagious and how long everyone should stay home from work or school to prevent an outbreak. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Yes, Tamiflu is available as a liquid (oral suspension) and as oral capsules of different sizes. Sick people sneeze or cough out beads of moisture that contain the flu virus. Headache, sudden high fever, body aches, chills, and tiredness are among the most common early symptoms of the flu. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. Cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands frequently. If flu symptoms do not go away, or if new symptoms develop while taking Tamiflu, people should contact their healthcare provider. In order for them to work, youll want to talk with your doctor early. Check with your employer for any specific procedures. W/ flu on sunday. This means that, on average, people start to develop flu symptoms about two days after coming into contact with the influenza virus. I have the flu and I'm currently on tamiflu (oseltamivir). Do echinacea and vitamin C really help a cold? Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. (Wash your hands more often when youre sick to prevent spreading your germs to those around you.). You should always follow the directions on the medicine label for how much and how often to give the medication. How do I spread it? 3-5 days: The Tamiflu (oseltamivir) will shorten the course of the flu, but it must be taken soon after the onset of symptoms. Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. 4 year old was exposed to flu on Wed. You are still contagious for 7 days after the symptoms began, even if you feel better. Yes, liquid Tamiflu (oral suspension) should be stored in the refrigerator. An official website of the United States government, : When you cough, tiny droplets that fly . The virus can be spread until symptoms disappear. How to Keep Your Kids Healthy When They Go to Daycare, Top 6 Winter Health Hazards and How To Beat Them, Is Any Food Safe? It works by attacking the flu virus to keep it from multiplying in your body and by reducing the symptoms of the flu. Started coughing Mon- started her on Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Most people who get the flu feel the worst symptoms on the second or third day. When you have the flu, you may worry about transmitting the virus to members of your family or other people you come into contact with. The flu is contagious about one day before symptoms begin and up to a week after symptoms start. More information on flu vaccines and other flu control measures is available on the Flu.gov website. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. Other people who develop complications, such as pneumonia, may extend the contagious period for a week or two. People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. When Is The Flu Contagious. The flu is transmitted between people through tiny droplets that escape from the body when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. The flu is not something to take lightly and if you do get it, stay away from other people when you are sick. According to the CDC, the flu can circulate to others up to about 6 feet away. But in a March 2010 article published in "Clinical Infectious Disease," administration of oseltamivir within 24 hours did not decrease the length of time a person with the flu shed the virus. A. A. The sooner you take the drug, the sooner it begins working. Ringworm and pinworms typically require a visit to your primary care providers office to get the appropriate prescription. The same rules apply even if you have taken a flu antiviral drug like Tamiflu. You may start to feel a little better during the day. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Even if you think it won't be serious for you if you get it, it might be for someone you pass it to. When Tamiflu binds to neuraminidase, the virus can no longer penetrate cells, blocking replication and reducing the amount of virus circulating in the body. ", US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, "How Flu Spreads". If you do get sick,stay home. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. am i still considered contagious? Wash your hands thoroughly for about 20 seconds with soap and water. 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