You can spread the common cold from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be contagious for up to 2 weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you're most likely to spread the virus.
The contagious period for the flu begins about 1 day before symptoms start and can last as long as 5-7 days from when you first felt sick. You're generally contagious with a cold 1-2 days before your symptoms start, and you could be contagious as long as your symptoms are present—in rare cases, up to 2 weeks.
When you have a cold, your symptoms are usually worse in the first two to three days. That's when you are most likely to spread your cold to others. In general, you are contagious a few days before your symptoms start until all your symptoms are gone. Most people are contagious about two weeks.
Colds are the most common infectious disease in the United States. They're very contagious, especially in the first 2–4 days after symptoms start. They can even spread for a couple of weeks after someone starts feeling sick.
Two to four days should be enough to weather the worst of a cold, but up to a week may be needed for flu, says infectious disease expert.
Infectiousness usually begins to decrease after day 5, but this doesn't mean you can't spread the virus beginning on day 6. This is why it is SO important to wear a mask through day 10. Everyone's immune response is different, and we can spread the virus for different amounts of time.
The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery. The common cold is a mild upper respiratory infection caused by viruses.
With a cold you are contagious for about two to three days before developing symptoms and this contagious period can last until all symptoms are gone. With flu you are infectious up to 24 hours before developing symptoms and for at least 7 days after (can be up to 14-21 days in children).
If you've had cold symptoms for 10 days or fewer and you've been fever-free for 24 hours, you're probably safe to go to work. Keep your tissues, over-the-counter remedies, and hand sanitizer close by, and try to remember that even though you're miserable now, you'll likely feel better in a few days.
In high-risk settings, they may be considered infectious from 72 hours before symptoms start. People with mild illness are generally considered recovered after 7 days if they have been asymptomatic or have not developed any new symptoms during this time. But some people may be infectious for up to 10 days.
Cold and flu symptoms such as a blocked nose or cough usually subside after 7-10 days and the absence of these things is quite an obvious indication that you are on the mend.
Cold-related coughs can last for up to eight weeks. The good news is that you're typically only contagious for the first three to five days of the initial respiratory infection, says Dr. Buhr. A lingering cough will usually clear up on its own as postnasal drip improves and inflammation decreases.
If symptoms get worse instead of better after 3 days or so, the problem could be strep throat, sinusitis, pneumonia, or bronchitis, especially if your child smokes.
“Because many times sinus infections are caused by viruses, they can be contagious like other infections, such as colds,” Melinda said. “If you have a sinus infection, it's important to use good hygiene skills.
Get Some Fresh Air
In fact, getting fresh air is good for you when you're feeling under the weather. When you're cooped up inside, you're sharing the same air with those around you. So every time someone coughs or sneezes inside, those infected droplets are still in the air.
If you're experiencing pain around your face and eyes with thick nasal discharge, you could have a sinus infection. Extreme fatigue, weakness and exhaustion. Suddenly having extreme fatigue and exhaustion is one of the earliest signs of the flu, often appearing before any other symptoms.
You can catch a cold if: A person with a cold sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you. You touch your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contaminated by the virus, such as a toy or doorknob.
The main symptoms include sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, discomfort, sneezing, fever (more common in children), headaches, clear, watery discharge from your nose (mucus), and body aches. Symptoms level off and fade: Cold symptoms usually last anywhere from 3 to 10 days.
The usual recovery period for a cold lasts seven days. 3 Cold symptoms may linger for up to two weeks but ought to improve during that time. 2 While two weeks may seem like a long period, the cold is usually worst at the start.
Stage 2 of a cold is days four through seven. Many people find that their symptoms get worse and peak during this time. It is not uncommon for your sore throat to disappear quickly after it starts. You may develop a fever, but this is more common in children than adults.
A test-based strategy may be used to remove a mask sooner. People with moderate or severe COVID-19 should isolate through at least day 10. Those with severe COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 10 days and may need to extend isolation for up to 20 days.
With Omicron, most transmission occurs during the one to two days before onset of symptoms, and in the two to three days afterwards. Wearing masks, particularly indoors, can help reduce the risk that someone who is infected but not yet experiencing symptoms may unknowingly infect others.