It’s that time of year! People are spreading holiday cheer and germs, leading to diseases like COVID, flu, RSVpneumonia and more. But how long are you contagious?
Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, director of infection prevention and control at Children’s Medical Center Plano, is already seeing increases in RSV, COVID and flu in his area, he told CBS News.
Fortunately, there are ways to help prevent illness, such as social distancing, hand washing and getting vaccinated.
But if you do end up finding something, here’s what you need to know to keep others safe this holiday season.
How long is COVID contagious?
People with COVID-19 can be infectious one to two days before and up to eight to 10 days after symptoms start, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Most transmission appears to occur during the early periods of infection, particularly 1 to 2 days before the onset of symptoms and during the first few days after the onset of symptoms,” their website notes.
Asymptomatic people can also spread the virus.
So how do we know when it’s safe to be around others? You no longer have to wait to give a negative. Instead, the CDC has shared simplified guidelines when to end isolation after contracting the virus: no fever for 24 hours and improvement in symptoms.
“Once the person is fever-free for 24 hours without using any fever-reducing medication like ibuprofen, they should be pretty much out of the woods … but their respiratory symptoms should be getting better as well,” said Garcia Carreno. .
After this period, you can start going out, but it’s a good idea to still take precautions to protect others.
“For example, try to socially distance yourself from others and, if possible, wear a mask. This is usually recommended for an additional period of five days,” he said.
In addition to COVID, these guidelines also apply to other respiratory infections, including influenza and RSV, Garcia Carreño said.
How long is the flu contagious?
In most infected people, flu viruses can be detected from one day before symptoms start and up to five to seven days after becoming illAccording to the CDC.
“People with the flu are most contagious during the first three days of their illness. Some people, including young children and people with weakened immune systems, can be contagious for longer periods of time,” states the website of the agency
The CDC’s update guidelines apply here, meaning you can return to normal after being fever-free for 24 hours without medication and have improved symptoms.
Garcia Carreño said the use of drugs like Tamiflu don’t change these timelines either.
“The use of antivirals should not be a factor in prolonging the spread of the disease,” he said.
Although antiviral medications can help with symptoms, people should still monitor fever and symptoms according to updated CDC guidelines.
How long is the stomach flu contagious?
People sick with stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis or norovirus, will get better within 1 to 3 days, but can still pass the virus on to others days later.
“You can still spread norovirus by 2 weeks or more after you feel better,” the CDC website states.
Norovirus is a gastrointestinal virus, not a respiratory virus like other illnesses we see this time of year, Garcia Carreño explained.
“It’s also very contagious, but it’s more contagious through vomiting and diarrhea, so it’s through faecal (and) oral transmission,” he said. “So hand washing is very important, and it’s important to say that we usually need bleach products to inactivate norovirus.”
If someone is sick with norovirus at home, Garcia Carreño advises sterilizing or decontaminating the toilet they used.
In addition to washing your hands to prevent illness, it’s also a good idea to avoid sharing cups and utensils with others to prevent both gastrointestinal and respiratory viruses, she said.
How long is RSV contagious?
People with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight daysAccording to the CDC. They can also be contagious a day or two before they start showing symptoms.
“Some infants and people with weakened immune systems may continue to spread the virus for 4 weeks or more, even after they stop showing symptoms,” the agency notes.
The same CDC guidelines for COVID and flu also apply to RSV: People can end isolation after being fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications and having improved symptoms.
How long is pneumonia contagious?
In general, the rule that applies to other respiratory viruses is also used for bacterial pneumonia, Garcia Carreño said, meaning that once someone is fever-free for 24 hours and sees improvements in symptoms, they should not to be so contagious
“Also, for most of these pneumonias, you’re usually not contagious after 24 hours of antibiotics. So once you’ve had 24 hours of effective or adequate antibiotics … the contagiousness will decrease,” he said.
How long is the common cold contagious?
You’re most contagious when symptoms are at their worst, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which is usually the first three days.
But you can still spread the disease beyond that time period.
“You can be contagious for up to two weeks, even spreading a cold a day or two before you have symptoms,” he said. the clinic’s website reads.
The classic common cold virus is rhinovirus, and the same rules will apply for rhinoviruses (as other respiratory viruses),” García Carreño said, but warned that rhinovirus is “one of the most contagious viruses,” although your symptoms are milder.