When is someone contagious with a cold

Tonsillitis itself isn't contagious, but the viruses that cause it are. The length of time you're infectious will depend on the virus. Page last reviewed: 13 November Next review due: 13 November Home Common health questions Infections Back to Infections. How long is someone infectious after a viral infection? The infectious period often begins before you start to feel unwell or notice a rash.

Bronchitis The length of time that bronchitis is infectious varies, depending on its cause. Chickenpox Chickenpox is infectious from 2 days before the spots appear to until they have crusted over, usually 5 days after they first appeared. Common cold The common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Flu Flu is usually most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further 3 to 7 days.

The contagious period for the flu can last as long as days from when you first felt sick. An ounce of prevention. Tags: Expert Advice. Cold and Flu. Popular Categories. Popular Topics. Unfortunately, you may not be in the clear as soon as your nose stops running. The common cold is—as the name suggests—incredibly common. That number is largely attributed to number of viruses that can cause a cold—about or so, per the National Institutes of Health NIH , including rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, and coronaviruses.

But colds are also extremely contagious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC says they can be spread through the air, close contact with infected people, and even through an infected person's fecal matter say, if they don't properly was their hands after using the bathroom. You can take all the necessary steps to protect yourself—washing your hands with soap and water, avoiding touching your face, and staying away from sick people—but chances are, you'll still cross paths with a cold virus and come down with something.

Common colds are the main reason that children miss school and adults miss work. Each year in the United States, there are millions of cases of the common cold. Adults have an average of colds per year, and children have even more. Most people get colds in the winter and spring, but it is possible to get a cold any time of the year.

Symptoms usually include:. Most people recover within about days. However, people with weakened immune systems, asthma, or respiratory conditions may develop serious illness, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Help reduce your risk of getting a cold by washing hands often with soap and water. Viruses that cause colds can spread from infected people to others through the air and close personal contact.

You can also get infected through contact with stool poop or respiratory secretions from an infected person. This can happen when you shake hands with someone who has a cold, or touch a surface, like a doorknob, that has respiratory viruses on it, then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.

Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette: always cough and sneeze into a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, completely covering your mouth and nose.