bacterial diarrhea contagious :: Article Creator'Astronomical Spike': Health Officials Issue Warning About Diarrhea-causing Norovirus
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Are You Contagious? Check When You're Most Likely To Spread COVID, The Flu, Norovirus And Other Common Illnesses
It's that time of year! People are spreading holiday cheer — and germs, leading to sicknesses like COVID, flu, RSV, norovirus stomach bug and more. But how long are you contagious?
Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, Children's Medical Center Plano director of infection prevention and control, is already seeing upticks in RSV, COVID and flu in her area, she told CBS News.
And a late winter wave of COVID infections is also looking likely. COVID-19 surveillance data indicates that the winter wave is beginning later than in past seasons where the median peaks were in December or January, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Luckily, there are ways to help prevent illness, including social distancing, washing our hands and getting vaccinated.
But if you do end up coming down with something, here's what to know to keep others safe this holiday season.
How long is COVID contagious?
People with COVID-19 can be infectious from one to two days before and up to eight to 10 days after symptoms begin, according to the CDC.
"The majority of transmission appears to occur during the early periods of infection, particularly in the 1 to 2 days before symptoms start and within the first few days of symptom onset," its website notes.
COVID symptoms in 2024 may vary depending on vaccination status but can include:
Cough Congestion or runny nose Diarrhea Fever or chills Shortness of breath Loss of taste or smell Sore throat Fatigue Still, it's important to test and not diagnose on your own, experts say.
"If you come in with some symptoms of cough or sore throat or runny nose, whatever it is, I can't tell you if that's a cold, if it's walking pneumonia, if it's COVID or the flu. You do need to test," Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, said recently on "CBS Mornings."
Asymptomatic individuals can also transmit the virus.
So how do we know when it's safe to be around others? You no longer have to wait to test negative. Instead, the CDC has shared simplified guidelines for when to end isolation after contracting the virus: fever-free for 24 hours and improved symptoms.
"Once the person is fever-free for 24 hours without the use of any fever-reducing medicines like ibuprofen, they should be a little bit out of the woods ... But also your respiratory symptoms need to be improving," Garcia Carreno said.
After this period, you can start going out but it's a good idea to still take precautions to keep others safe.
"For example, try to social distance from others, and, if possible, wear a mask. That's usually recommended for an additional five-day period," she said.
In addition to COVID, these guidelines also apply to other respiratory infections, including flu and RSV, Garcia Carreno said.
How long is the flu contagious?
In most people infected, influenza viruses can be detected starting one day before symptoms begin and up to five to seven days after becoming sick, according to the CDC.
"People with flu are most contagious during the first three days of their illness. Some people, including young children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer periods of time," the agency's website states.
The CDC's update guidelines apply here, meaning you can return to normal after being fever-free for 24 hours without medication and have improved symptoms.
Garcia Carreno said the use of medications like Tamiflu also don't change these timelines.
"The use of antivirals shouldn't be a factor for prolonging the spread of the of the illness," she said.
While antiviral medications can help with symptoms, people should still monitor fever and symptoms based on the CDC's updated guidelines.
How long is the norovirus stomach bug contagious?
People sick with stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis or the norovirus stomach bug, will generally get better within 1 to 3 days — but they can still spread the virus to others for days after, and the virus can survive on surfaces and continue to infect people for weeks.
"You can still spread norovirus for 2 weeks or more after you feel better," the CDC website states.
Norovirus is a gastrointestinal virus, not a respiratory virus like other illnesses we see this time of year, Garcia Carreno explained.
"It's also very contagious, but it's more contagious via vomiting and diarrhea, so it's through fecal (and) oral (transmission)," she said. "So hand-washing is really important, and it's important to say that usually we need bleach products for norovirus to be inactivated."
Cases of norovirus are surging in parts of the United States this winter, CDC data show.
If somebody is sick with norovirus at home, Garcia Carreno advises sterilizing or decontaminating the restroom that person used.
In addition to hand-washing to ward off illness, it's also a good idea to avoid sharing cups and utensils with others to prevent both gastrointestinal and respiratory viruses, she said.
How long is RSV contagious?
People with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days, according to the CDC. They may also become contagious a day or two before they start showing symptoms.
"Some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for 4 weeks or longer, even after they stop showing symptoms," the agency notes.
The same CDC guidelines for COVID and flu also apply to RSV — people can end isolation after being fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicines and have improved symptoms.
How long is pneumonia contagious?
In general, the rule that applies to other respiratory viruses is also used for bacterial pneumonia, Garcia Carreno said, meaning once someone is fever-free for 24 hours and seeing symptom improvements they should not be as contagious.
"Also, for the majority, of these pneumonias, you usually are not contagious after 24 hours of antibiotics. So once you have received 24 hours of effective or appropriate antibiotics ... The contagiousness will decrease," she said.
How long is the common cold contagious?
You're most contagious when symptoms are at their worst, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which is usually the first three days.
But you can still spread the sickness beyond that timeframe.
"You can be contagious for up to two weeks, even spreading a cold a day or two before you have symptoms," the clinic's website reads.
The classic common cold virus is rhinovirus, and the same rules will apply for rhinovirus (as other respiratory viruses)," Garcia Carreno said, but warned rhinovirus is "one of the most contagious viruses" even if its symptoms are milder.
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MoreSara Moniuszko
Sara Moniuszko is a health and lifestyle reporter at CBSNews.Com. Previously, she wrote for USA Today, where she was selected to help launch the newspaper's wellness vertical. She now covers breaking and trending news for CBS News' HealthWatch.
Norovirus Is Raging Across U.S.: Here's What You Need To Know
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Norovirus, also known as the stomach flu, rang in 2025 in a big way across the United States, and continues to surge.
The highly contagious virus causes vomiting and diarrhea, and a record number of outbreaks have been reported for this time of year, according to recent data.
Though it is sometimes called the "stomach flu" or the "stomach bug," norovirus illness is not related to the flu. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, and Staten Island cases of the flu are also rising — faster than cases statewide.
Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis — an inflammation of the stomach or intestines.
Most people with norovirus illness get better within one to three days; but they can still spread the virus long after they feel better.
According to latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 91 norovirus outbreaks in the United States during the week ending Dec. 5, 2024, which is more than double the number of outbreaks during that same week over the last three years.
In fact, norovirus outbreaks in early December reached the highest level for that time of year since 2012, the according to the CDC data.
Each year, about 2,500 norovirus outbreaks are reported in the United States, per the CDC. These can occur throughout the year, but are most common between November and April.
"It's also called the winter vomiting disease, which emphasizes the seasonality of norovirus; it can occur during the summer, but it really does increase in the winter," Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told TODAY.Com.
It's not surprising to see an uptick in norovirus cases this time of year. However, the latest increase is "quite substantial," Schaffner said. In recent weeks, norovirus has climbed to decade-high levels.
"The total number of outbreaks reported during this 2024–2025 season is above those reported during the same period during 2012–2020 and 2021-2024," the CDC spokesperson said.
Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States, according to the CDC. People of all ages can get it, and proper handwashing and other simple steps can help prevent its spread.
A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus.
Most common symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain Other symptoms: Fever, headache and body aches Vomiting or diarrhea many times a day can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids), especially in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include:
Decreased urination Dry mouth and throat Feeling dizzy when standing up Crying with few or no tears Unusual sleepiness or fussiness Who is at risk
Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus, and people of all ages get infected during outbreaks. Your likelihood of getting a norovirus infection is also determined in part by your genes, according to the CDC.
If eaten, raw oysters and other filter-feeding shellfish can contain viruses and bacteria that can cause illness or death.
Anyone who consumes raw shellfish is at risk of contracting norovirus. Children younger than 5 years old, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections.
To avoid getting norovirus, do not eat raw or undercooked shellfish.
How it spreads
Norovirus spreads very easily and quickly in different ways. According to the CDC, you can get norovirus by:
Having direct contact with someone with norovirus, like caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting your unwashed fingers in your mouth You can still spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better, according to the CDC.
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