Influenza cases are increasing globally at the present time, as the symptoms of influenza, which were considered mild and tolerable, tend to persist for a longer period, and are also transmissible and contagious. The Times of India website.
How long do you stay infected while you have the flu?
Influenza is a respiratory infection spread by the influenza virus, and influenza infection can last for up to a week.
Even with the flu, there can be some post-viral symptoms, which can persist and make a person feel as though they are going through a prolonged case of flu-like symptoms.
What makes influenza cases long lasting? What is the period of infection?
With the current strain of influenza infection, one reason for symptoms to last longer is the reduced risk of infection.
While flu infections were milder last year, we’ve also been taking proper prevention measures now, not only has our exposure to the flu virus decreased, but the virus’s incubation period is also something to think about, which refers to the time between infection with the virus and the development of symptoms.
For influenza, the typical incubation period can be 2 days, but it can be up to 4 days as well.
There is a risk that the infection will spread more widely in influenza than in corona (since we are more cautious about corona at the moment and may ignore flu symptoms to a routine cold), it can be very risky and easier to spread the infection to others.
Experts also emphasized that when a person has the flu, it is most contagious in the first three or four days, when there is a greater likelihood of developing symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, which can lead to the release of respiratory droplets.
The risk of infection, as with corona, can also be high the day before symptoms start.
Corona and influenza .. Which is the most contagious?
Given that coronavirus and influenza are similar infections that show common symptoms (including fever, cough, and sometimes a cold), which spread from person to person in a similar way, that is, through the release of respiratory droplets into the air, and touching contaminated surfaces, experts considered that both types of Viral infections can be equally contagious.
However, at the moment, Corona is a more serious threat due to its high rate of transmission, and it can spread to other people even in the pre-symptomatic stage.
While the flu can be spread, the risk is slightly lower, and it’s less likely to affect someone right now, if they get a flu shot.
Should I wear masks and stay home when I have the flu?
Even with influenza, due to the risk of respiratory droplets and the spread of symptoms, it is always advised to stay home until the time symptoms begin to settle (5-7 days after infection with the virus).
Low fever, without medication, can be taken as a sign that you can stay with other people.
Although the flu requires adequate rest and recovery, an individual can use masks to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets to people around you, who may be at risk.