When is flu highly contagious

Your doctor may recommend several treatments for your illness. The flu is a viral infection caused by the influenza virus that targets your head and chest. People often feel the achiness and fatigue first, before their respiratory symptoms develop.

Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen Tylenol or ibuprofen Advil, Motrin may help you manage your symptoms. To relieve your symptoms faster, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug such as oseltamivir Tamiflu , peramivir Rapivab , zanamivir Relenza , or baloxavir Xofluza. Also, antiviral drugs can cause side effects such as nausea , vomiting, and diarrhea.

Also, call your doctor right away if you have any of the more serious flu symptoms, such as trouble breathing or dizziness.

Common colds are caused by many different viruses. These viruses spread through the air, just like influenza. Treat your cold by taking it easy. Drink water and other non-caffeinated fluids and get as much rest as you can. You can also take an OTC cold remedy. Some of these drugs come in multi-symptom cold, cough, fever varieties. Decongestant nasal sprays relieve congestion.

However, if you use a certain type for more than three days, it could give you a rebound stuffed nose. Some of these drugs can also cause an increase in blood pressure or a rapid heartbeat. If you have high blood pressure , an irregular heart rhythm , or heart disease , talk to your doctor before you use a decongestant. Antihistamines can also help clear up a stuffy nose, but older ones such as diphenhydramine Benadryl can make you sleepy. Colds are usually mild, but they can sometimes lead to complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Shop for nasal decongestant sprays. Your sneezing, sniffling nose, and watery eyes might not be contagious at all.

CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and frequent handwashing to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory nose, throat, and lungs illnesses, like flu. It is very difficult to distinguish flu from other viral or bacterial respiratory illnesses based on symptoms alone.

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.

Everyone is at risk for being infected with the influenza virus, and anyone can spread the disease to others. Each flu season, between 5 and 20 percent of the U. What are common flu symptoms? Fatigue or Extreme Tiredness. Muscle or Body Aches. Sore Throat. Runny or Stuffy Nose. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are symptoms more common in children. Find out when you should seek medical attention here. How is flu spread? Flu spreads from person-to-person when people cough, sneeze, talk, or when a person touches a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touches their own mouth or nose.

Flu is not just a bad cold. Person to Person People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away.

When Flu Spreads People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. 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 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. What CDC Does. To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address: Email Address.