People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Most experts think that flu viruses spread mainly by 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. Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
Children and some people with weakened immune systems may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms can begin about 2 days but can range from 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body.
That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with a flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those people may still spread the virus to others. As one of the most utilized vaccines in the world, it has one of best safety profiles of anything we do in healthcare. This has been well studied and there are no links. We need to move away from blaming vaccines for a very serious disorder when science has, again and again, shown this not to be the case.
Unfortunately, many still believe this discredited link. As for Guillain-Barre syndrome a rare neurologic illness , you are more likely to get it if you get the flu than if you get the vaccine.
Vaccines are well studied and very safe. I get mine every year and so does everyone in my family. Does drinking orange juice or taking vitamin C help prevent colds and flu? What about Airborne products or zinc? Is it vitamin C that provides the benefit or drinking lot of orange juice?
Probably the liquids. Eating healthy foods and getting lots of rest are important, however. I prefer that you never need medications — get the vaccine instead. For most other respiratory viruses, there are no treatments, so prevention and limiting transmission are key. The best things you can do are rest and get adequate fluids. Cover your coughs and sneezing. And stay home so you limit exposing others to the infection. If nothing else, it provides a variety of nutritional benefits, a fair amount of liquids, and it can be very soothing to take something warm.
I know I love it when I feel sick — along with ginger ale. It reminds me of when I was a kid. There are no downsides to it. Have you been hit by a cold or flu this season? Tell us about it on Facebook. Previously, she covered medicine and health policy for the Los Angeles Times, where she was part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
Follow her on Twitter Engel Donate Now. Hutch News Stories. Medical myth busting: Separating fact from fiction about colds and flu. We ask an infection prevention expert to bust myths and offer tips on staying healthy during cold and flu season.
It's important to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, because research has shown that infectious particles can travel as far as 6 feet. Stock photo by FeaturePics. He updated his advice from last year, took a strong stand on getting the flu vaccine and helped bust some common cold and flu myths, such as: 1.
Can you catch a cold from being cold? Facebook Video component. So how long are people contagious? If you have just a mild cold, are you less infectious? What breakthroughs are coming next? Sign up for news. Hands are bad, right? How far does avoiding touching bathroom doors get you? What about facial masks? Do they help at all? Here's what he had to say: The discussion around masks has changed dramatically over the last year and a half. There are tests available to diagnose flu.
More information is available: Diagnosing Flu. There are influenza antiviral drugs that can be used to treat flu illness. To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address:. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Influenza Flu. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate.
Key Facts About Influenza Flu. Minus Related Pages. What is Influenza Flu? Flu Symptoms Influenza flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. On This Page. What is Influenza also called Flu? How Flu Spreads. Who is most likely to be infected with influenza? How is seasonal incidence of influenza estimated?
Table 1. Period of Contagiousness. People with flu are most contagious in the first days after their illness begins. Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
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