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.
When Flu Spreads
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 the flu virus but
have no symptoms. During this time, those people may still spread the virus to
others.
Period of Contagiousness
You may be able to pass on flu to someone else before you know you
are sick, as well as while you are sick.
·
People with flu are most
contagious in the first 3-4 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.
·
Some people, especially
young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect
others with flu viruses for an even longer time.
Page last reviewed: August 27, 2018
Content source: Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, National
Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm
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