Preventing The Spread Of Flu
You can help stop yourself catching flu or spreading it to others with good hygiene measures.
Always wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, as well as:
- regularly cleaning surfaces such as your computer keyboard, telephone and door handles to get rid of germs
- using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- putting used tissues in a bin as soon as possible
You can also help stop the spread of flu by avoiding unnecessary contact with other people while you’re infectious. You should stay off work or school until you’re feeling better.
In some people at risk of more serious flu, an annual flu vaccine or antiviral medication may be recommended to help reduce the risk of becoming infected.
- difficulty sleeping
Is It Possible To Have Flu And Covid
Because COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the flu is caused by influenza viruses , its possible to have both flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Having both respiratory viruses simultaneously could increase the chances of having serious outcomes.
The only way to know which virus you have contracted is to get tested.
How Long Is The Incubation Period Of The Flu
There’s no exact time frame that’s the same for every person with the flu but, in general, the CDC says that the incubation period of the flu can range between one and four days, with the average length of time being two days.
People with the flu are the most contagious the first three to four days after they were infected, per the CDC, which can coincide with the incubation period. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others starting the day before they show symptoms, and continue to be infectious up to seven days after they become sick, the CDC adds.
“People have the flu and are out and about doing their regular stuff, coming into contact with others before they get sick,” Dr. Boling says. “You can infect plenty of people during that time.”
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What Is The Flu
The “flu” or influenza is a serious disease. At times it can lead to death. It is very contagious and spreads in the U.S. each year, starting in the fall and continuing through spring.
The flu is caused by a virus and spread mainly by coughing, sneezing or close contact. Young children and older adults are at highest risk of getting the flu but anyone can get it.
If You Have Severe Symptoms
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you develop severe symptoms, such as:
- trouble breathing or severe shortness of breath
- persistent pressure or pain in the chest
- new onset of confusion
- difficulty waking up or staying awake
- pale, grey or blue-coloured skin, lips or nail beds
Follow instructions for safe transport if taking an ambulance or a private vehicle to a hospital or clinic.
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What Are The First Signs Of Flu
When you get the flu , it will often start with mild muscle aches, a slight tickle in the throat, or a worn-out feeling you just can’t shake. Common wisdom suggests that if you treat flu when symptoms first appear, you may be able to shorten the duration and severity of the illness. In recent years, a number of prescription drugs have been approved for just such a purpose.
Even if you are unable to get these medications, by recognizing the early signs and symptoms of flu, you can act quickernot only getting the bed rest you need, but to take steps to prevent the spread of infection to others.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
When Do Symptoms Occur
Some people have flu-like symptoms within two to four weeks after infection, but others may not feel sick or not develop symptoms at all until later.
See a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of HIV and think you may have been exposed to HIV. Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know for sure.
In the United States, HIV is spread mainly through having anal or vaginal sex or sharing needles or syringes with an HIV-positive partner. Anal sex is the highest-risk behavior.
You can prevent HIV by using condoms correctly every time you have sex pre-exposure prophylaxis, a prevention method in which the HIV-negative partner takes daily HIV medicine to prevent HIV and treatment as prevention, a method in which the HIV-positive partner takes daily HIV medicine to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load.
Only antigen/antibody tests or nucleic acid tests can diagnose acute HIV infection. NATs look for actual virus in the blood, and antigen/antibody tests look for HIV antibodies and antigens. Antibodies are produced by your immune system when youre exposed to viruses like HIV, and antigens are foreign substances that cause your immune system to activate.
However, no test can detect HIV immediately after infection. NATs can usually tell if you have an HIV infection 10 to 33 days after exposure, while antigen/antibody tests can tell 18 to 45 days after exposure.
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Mouth ulcers or sores
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How Long Does It Take To Show Symptoms Of Hiv
The human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that attacks your bodys immune system. Left untreated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome . Early diagnosis is key to slowing down disease progression.
Symptoms may vary from person to person, but knowing the early symptoms that could present can help you get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
This article will discuss the various stages of HIV, how symptoms may present, how testing works, and what to expect if you test positive for the virus.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
When To Expect Improvement
Influenza is extremely common, especially during the fall and winter months. You probably know about symptoms of the flu, like coughing and fever, but might wonder how long the flu lasts.
In healthy children and adults, the flu typically lasts for three to seven days. However, if you develop complications, you’ll feel sick much longer. The cough from the flu can also stick around for up to two weeks.
People with the flu are often contagious a day before they experience symptoms, and they can pass the flu to others for up to a week after symptoms appear. Kids might spread the flu virus for even longer.
This article discusses everything you should know about the flu, including answers to common questions like How long does the flu last in adults? and How long does the flu last in babies? It also covers treatment, prevention, and when to call a healthcare provider.
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What Should I Or My Family Members Do If We Travel Out Of The Country
Your risk for being exposed to the flu depends on what time of year you travel and where you go. In the Northern Hemisphere, flu season can beginas early as October and last until May. In the Southern Hemisphere flu season occurs from April through September. In tropical climates, flu can occur all year. Traveling with groups of international travelers, such as on a cruise ship, can increase your risk of exposure.
How To Treat The Flu
In addition to Tamiflu, the CDC recommends three other FDA-approved medications to treat the flu, which are Relenza , Rapivab , and Xofluza .
Aside from antivirals, some homeopathic medicines have shown to help treat the flu. If the flu invades your household this winter, you will be well-prepared by having stocked up on Boiron Oscillococcinum, says Ken Redcross, MD, author of Bond: The 4 Cornerstones of a Lasting and Caring Relationship with Your Doctor and founder of Redcross Concierge. Clinical studies show that when used at the first signs, Oscillococcinum helps relieve the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue. This homeopathic medicine is widely available in local supermarkets or pharmacies for everyone ages 2 and up.
If youre interested in learning more about how to prevent or treat the flu, you can always schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. With flu season just around the corner, its still a good idea to be prepared in case you get sick.
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Can It Lie Dormant
The herpes virus can lie dormant in the body for years before people experience any symptoms.
After people have the first outbreak of herpes, the virus then lies dormant in the nervous system. Any further outbreaks are due to the virus reactivating, which causes symptoms to appear.
Symptoms are usually less severe during repeat outbreaks. Sores also clear up more quickly, often within 37 days. This is due to the antibodies the body produces to fight the first outbreak of herpes. The body can then use these antibodies to respond more quickly to future outbreaks.
There is currently no cure for herpes. Even if a person stops experiencing symptoms, the virus will remain inside their body.
It is also important to point out that herpes is transmissible even when no sores or other symptoms are present. For this reason, early prevention is advisable.
The herpes virus may be spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with the affected area. As a result, people can contract herpes from engaging in vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person who has the herpes virus.
To help reduce the chance of this happening, people can use condoms or dental dams during sex.
Condoms and dental dams do not offer complete protection against the herpes virus, as herpes can live on areas around the genitals. However, these methods do reduce the likelihood of contracting the infection or passing it on.
Both people can then take additional steps to reduce the likelihood of transmission. These steps may include:
How Long Does It Take For Symptoms To Appear
If you get the flu, it can take about 1 to 4 days before symptoms appear.
COVID-19 symptoms can appear 1 to 14 days after infection.
You can be contagious with both viruses 1 day before symptoms appear. While flu can spread up to 7 days after infection, people with COVID-19 may be contagious for much longer. Thats why its important to self-quarantine for 14 days if you experience symptoms of COVID-19.
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What Our Experts Say
COVID-19 symptoms vary from person to person, and so does the time it takes for the symptoms to appear. In general, it may take between two to 14 days after exposure to COVID-19 for symptoms to appear. According to the WHO, on average it may take 5-6 days for symptoms to appear.
Symptom onset also depends on the variant to which one is exposed.The incubation period for the Delta variant was shorter than the previous variants, and for Omicron it appears to be about three days, on average.
Some people have mild to moderate symptoms including fever, cough, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, aches, and pains, while others may have more serious symptoms. Others may be asymptomatic, and infected people without symptoms can still infect others and are most infectious during the two days before symptoms appear. It is recommended that public health guidance be followed and one get tested if they have been exposed to anyone who has been confirmed to be infected with Sars-CoV-2.
COVID-19 symptoms vary from person to person, and so does the time it takes for the symptoms to appear. In general, it may take between two to 14 days after exposure to COVID-19 for symptoms to appear. According to the WHO, on average it may take 5-6 days for symptoms to appear.
Symptom onset also depends on the variant to which one is exposed.The incubation period for the Delta variant was shorter than the previous variants, and for Omicron it appears to be about three days, on average.
Lifestyle Tips For Avoiding Flu
Tips for avoiding infection include:
- practicing good hygiene, including frequent hand washing
- keeping the immune system strong by following a healthful diet
- quitting or avoiding smoking, as smokers are more likely to develop complications
- staying away from people who have the flu
People should also stay away from others when they have the flu to avoid spreading it themselves.
for more information on how to avoid flu.
up to 6 feet away from them when they cough, sneeze, talk, or breathe.
A healthy individual can pass on the virus a day before they, themselves, have symptoms. In other words, it is possible to pass on the flu before you know you have it. The infected individual can continue to transmit the virus for up to 57 days after symptoms appear.
People with a weakened immune system, older people, and young children may be able to pass on the virus for longer than this.
Flu is most contagious in the first 34 days after symptoms appear.
A person can develop flu symptoms if droplets that contain the virus and come from the breath of another person enter their mouth, nose, or lungs.
This transmission if:
- Someone without the virus is near a person with flu.
- Someone who is virus free handles an object a person with the virus has touched and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes.
Research shows that just breathing can spread the flu virus. Learn more here.
For flu, this is , but it can vary from 1 to 4 days.
A person can transmit the virus even before symptoms appear.
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How Soon Can You Be Tested
The incubation period for herpes is 2 to 12 days, which means that the best time to get tested for the herpes virus if you havent had an initial outbreak is after 12 days. If youre worried that youve been exposed to herpes but have not yet been diagnosed, here are some steps you can take:
- If youre currently sexually active, stop all sexual activity until you can receive a formal diagnosis.
- Reach out to your doctor and schedule an appointment for once the incubation period is up.
- If youre having an outbreak, you dont have to wait to get tested. Its possible to receive a diagnosis based on the lesions.
When Should I Get The Flu Vaccine
Every year, as soon as it is available. It takes about two weeks to be fully effective, so it is important to get it before flu season begins, if possible. But, you can still get vaccinated through the spring and beyond. Even though flu season usually peaks in February, it can continue at least through May. Flu vaccine is offered at health care providers’ offices, clinics and pharmacies.
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Lack Of Symptoms In Early Stages
ARS is common once a person develops HIV. But this isnt the case for everyone as, according to HIV.gov, symptoms may not appear for a decade or longer.
Although the virus replicates quickly in the weeks after contracting it, symptoms in early HIV only tend to show up if the rate of cell destruction is high.
This doesnt mean that cases of HIV without symptoms are less serious or that an asymptomatic person cant transmit the virus to others.
Can The Same Home Remedies And Medicine Be Used For Both Cold And Flu
There is no cure for a cold, the CDC says it will get better on its own. But prescription antiviral drugs may help with the flu, especially when taken within two days of the onset of symptoms. People with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease that put them at at high risk for flu complications should seek treatment right away.
As for home remedies, there is evidence that zinc, taken by mouth in the form of lozenges, tablets, or syrups, can help reduce the length of colds if taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health . The NCCIH adds that zinc can cause nausea and gastrointestinal issues, and that it can interact with other medication, such as antibiotics.
There is no strong scientific evidence that any natural product can cure the flu, says the NCCIH.
Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are effective treatments for fever and aches caused by either a cold or the flu. People with either illness should also be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Additional reporting by Pamela Kaufman.
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When Is Cold And Flu Season
While its possible to get the flu year-round, most people get sick in the fall and winter. Flu season generally peaks between December and February, and can sometimes stretch into May, says the CDC.
Most people get colds in the winter and spring, according to the CDC, but its possible to catch a cold in the summer or fall too.
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How Long Can I Spread The Flu For
The flu is contagious from the day before symptoms start to five to seven days after becoming sick. The incubation period of the flu, or how long it can take to develop symptoms after exposure and infection, is about one to four days. One reason the flu spreads so quickly is that someone can be contagious and not show signs of being sick until a few days after catching the flu virus.
The contagious periods of the flu, common cold, and stomach bug are very similar. With the common cold, you can become contagious one to two days before symptoms start, and you can remain contagious for up to two weeks. The same is true for the stomach bug, and you wont stop being contagious for several days after youve completely recovered. As far as the coronavirus is concerned, Harvard Health reports that COVID-19 can be contagious 48 to 72 hours before the first onset of symptoms. The contagious period ends about 10 days after symptoms resolve. Some infectious disease experts still recommend 14 days of isolation.
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