6 Common Viruses and How You Can Avoid Spreading Them
Cold and flu season is just around the corner. To stay healthy, learn how you can stop the spread of common viruses. Also, find out just how long you can be contagious with each one,
With cold and flu season fast approaching, there’s no doubt that you’ll be extra thorough in your efforts to protect yourself from germs and viruses this year. Before COVID-19, did you ever think about how long you could be contagious after catching a cold or having bronchitis, strep throat or the flu? If not, the answers just might surprise you.
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As you’re being extra cautious to avoid catching or spreading the coronavirus, keep these helpful guidelines from family medicine physician Matthew J. Goldman, MD in mind so you don’t pass the following common illnesses on to others.
When are you probably the most contagious? Within the first 48-72 hours.
How long could you be contagious with a cold? Up to 2 weeks.
How does a common cold spread? Hand contact or droplets in the air.
How do you avoid infecting others?
Hand hygiene: Clean your hands often with soap and water/alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
When are you probably the most contagious? Within the first 48 hours.
How long could you be contagious with the flu? Up to 10 days.
How does the flu spread? Coughing/sneezing (sends large amounts of flu virus into air).
How do you avoid infecting others?
Hand hygiene: Clean your hands often with soap and water/alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
When are you probably the most contagious? Within the first 48-72 hours.
How long could you be contagious with a sore throat or strep? Three to four weeks if left untreated. You could be contagious with strep 24 to 48 hours after you start antibiotics.
How does a sore throat or strep spread? Saliva or nasal mucus/discharge (especially strep).
How do you avoid infecting others?
Extra hand hygiene: Wash your hands with plain soap and water for 20-30 seconds; scrub your nails, wrists and between your fingers. Rinse thoroughly.
When are you probably the most contagious? Within the first 48-72 hours.
How long could you be contagious with bronchitis? Up to 3 weeks.
How does bronchitis spread? Through droplets in the air and contaminated surfaces.
How can you avoid infecting others?
Extra hand hygiene: Wash your hands with plain soap and water for 20 to 30 seconds; scrub your nails, wrists and between your fingers. Rinse your hands thoroughly.
When are you probably the most contagious? Within the first 48-72 hours.
How long could you be contagious with pneumonia? Up to three weeks.
How does pneumonia spread? Coughing or sneezing (you can infect anyone within 6 feet).
How can you avoid infecting others?
Environmental cleaning: Frequently disinfect surfaces where infected droplets can collect.
When are you probably the most contagious? Within the first 24-48 hours.
How long could you be contagious with a stomach virus? It varies. Wait 48-72 hours after your symptoms resolve to return to school or work.
How does a stomach virus spread? Sharing food or utensils, contaminated surfaces or close contact.
How can you avoid infecting others?
Environmental cleaning: Frequently disinfect surfaces where infected droplets can collect.