how long are you contagious with bacterial infection :: Article CreatorHow Long Is Bronchitis Contagious?
Bronchitis is usually contagious for a day or two if it's bacterial or up to one week or more if it's related to a viral infection. You may also be contagious for a day or two before experiencing symptoms.
Bronchitis is a respiratory infection that develops when viruses, bacteria, or certain substances irritate and inflame the bronchial tubes in your lower airways. This condition usually comes with a dry but productive cough, and it's usually contagious.
The amount of time bronchitis may be contagious depends on its cause. Bacterial bronchitis in children may be contagious for only 24 hours, while bronchitis resulting from a viral infection may be contagious for a week or longer.
If you have acute bronchitis caused by a virus or bacteria, you can pass the infection to others through the mucus you cough up and into the air around you.
Chronic bronchitis, which is typically the result of long-term toxin exposure such as cigarette smoking, is not usually contagious.
Acute bronchitis infections are usually caused by viruses and less often by bacteria. Both viral and bacterial respiratory infections are contagious, meaning you can transmit the infection to people around you.
Viral and bacterial respiratory diseases usually spread from one person to another through tiny particles in the air or through contact with mucus that contains the virus or bacteria. How contagious your infection is depends on what caused it and how susceptible the people around you are to infection.
People with weakened immune systems are most sensitive to infections and may be able to contract viral and bacterial infections when other people are no longer susceptible.
What is chronic bronchitis?
Chronic bronchitis isn't an infection, exactly. Instead, it's long-term overproduction of mucus that blocks your airway and makes breathing more difficult. This condition usually develops over time as a result of smoking or toxin exposure from air pollution or the workplace.
Chronic bronchitis is not contagious and falls into the category of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Viral infections that can cause bronchitis are usually contagious for a few days.
For example, if your bronchitis was caused by an infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), it will probably be contagious for 3–8 days, including the day or two before you started showing symptoms.
If you have bronchitis resulting from the flu, it could be contagious for 5–7 days after you contracted the infection, including about 1 day before you showed any symptoms.
Bacterial bronchitis is less common and doesn't necessarily need treatment with antibiotics.
In children, these infections tend to last longer and may be called protracted bacterial bronchitis. This condition can require antibiotic treatment for as long as 2 weeks, at which time the coughing resolves.
Bronchitis: The infection timeline
Learn more about bronchitis, including how long it will take you to feel better, here.
Many of the respiratory viruses and bacteria that lead to bronchitis spread though contact with a surface or substance that carries the pathogen.
Most of the time, these germs travel from one person to another in tiny droplets that are propelled through the air or onto surfaces by a cough or sneeze.
Wearing a face mask when you are sick can help you avoid spreading respiratory viruses and other pathogens to others. It can also prevent you from contracting viruses from people around you.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests washing your hands and avoiding close contact with people who are sick to avoid contracting respiratory infections.
Bronchitis is an inflammation in your airway that develops from a viral or bacterial respiratory infection. It is possible for an infection to transfer from person to person, but basic infection prevention measures, such as washing your hands and avoiding close contact with people who are sick, can help you stay healthy.
You may want to take additional infection prevention measures if you know you have a health condition or take any medications that can weaken your immune system.
How Long Is THAT Contagious? Your Guide To Flu, Strep, COVID And Common Infections
We get it, it's the holiday season. No one wants to get family and friends sick -- and no one wants to miss out, either.
With COVID rates up across the country, health experts are urging people to wear masks once again in public indoor settings as well as crowded outdoor ones, and people are naturally anxious about feeling under the weather.
So how contagious is that? If you get sick - or you think you might be getting sick -- here's what to know about the incubation periods for some common viruses that may be more pronounced than usual this winter as well as minor infections that can still ruin your week. We've also got details on how long you're contagious and transmission.
There are, of course, a number of other common communicable diseases, but they're not really ones you'd be worried about transmitting at a dinner table or holiday party. The following information is compiled from a series of official sources, including the CDC and state health departments.
It's caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from a COVID infection.
Incubation period: 3-10 days, usually 4-6 days How long is it contagious? Onset of symptoms until fever is gone and at least 10 days have passed How does it spread? An infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. Infections can also be spread by touching a contaminated surface, in some cases Influenza is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs.
Incubation period: 1-4 days, average 2 days How long is it contagious? One day before symptoms occur and up to 7-10 days after symptoms, including fever, begin How does it spread? Contact with droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person who is coughing or sneezing It's cold and flu season again, which means you could be left wondering which virus is causing your symptoms. Here's what you need to know.
Common Cold
This viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract) is usually harmless, but it might not feel that way.
Incubation period: 2-5 days How long is it contagious? Onset of runny nose until fever is gone How does it spread? Airborne respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes; touching a contaminated surface; saliva and skin-to-skin contact (including handshakes and hugs) Respiratory syncytial virus is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most of us get it as toddlers. It can be severe in particularly vulnerable people. Most recover in a week.
Incubation period: 2-8 days, average 4-6 days How long is it contagious? About one day prior to and throughout illness How does it spread? Droplets spread through coughing and sneezing or contact with nasal or oral secretions; can also spread via articles contaminated with respiratory discharges What are preventative measures you can take to avoid RSV? The CDC recommends washing hands and avoiding close contact with others.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
This common, highly treatable infection is an inflammation (or swelling) of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball.
Incubation period: 24 to 72 hours in viral cases; 2-7 days in bacterial cases (pus is the difference) How long is it contagious? During the course of active viral infection. In bacterial cases, infection can be spread until a person has been on antibiotic eyedrops for at least a day How does it spread? Contact with discharge from the eyes, nose or throat of infected people; can also be transmitted via contaminated fingers, clothing and other items Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball that can be highly contagious. Here's an overview of it from the CDC and National Institutes of Health.
Strep
This bacterial infection may cause a sore, scratchy throat. Fever and swollen glands are also possible.
Incubation period: 1-5 days; 2-3 on average How long is it contagious? 10-21 days in untreated cases; onset of sore throat until at least 12 hours on antibiotic and ever is gone How does it spread? Person-to-person by direct or intimate contact; rarely by contaminated items, food or water Doctors across the country and the tri-state are worried about a potentially long winter, as hospitals see a spike in RSV cases, as well as COVID and the flu — with concerns mounting. NBC New York's Pei-Sze Cheng reports.
This highly contagious virus causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected.
Incubation period: 12 to 50 hours, average 24-48 hours How long is it contagious? Acute stage of disease and up to 48 hours after diarrhea stops How does it spread? Person-to-person by breathing in respiratory droplets Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Learn how it spreads and how you can help prevent getting it.
This infectious viral disease can occur in humans and some other animals. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that can include crusty sores in various stages of healing.
Incubation period: 5 to 21 days How long is it contagious? Onset of symptoms until all crusts on sores have fallen off (usually 2-4 weeks) How does it spread? Close personal, often skin-to-skin contact, with an infected individual Two brothers who are both paramedics helped save their father who was in cardiac arrest. Pei-Sze Cheng reports.
This viral infection that affects the salivary glands is easily preventable by a vaccine. It is typically accompanied by swollen glands and a fever
Incubation period: 12 to 25 days, 16-18 day average How long is it contagious? Three days before to four days after day of symptom onset or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer How does it spread? Droplet or direct contact with saliva and by airborne droplet route This acute respiratory virus is characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, fatigue and other symptoms. It's serious for small children but is easily preventable by a vaccine.
Incubation period: About 8-12 days. Rash usually appears about 14 days after exposure but can take as long as three weeks. Fever onset 7-18 days after exposure How long is it contagious? Four days before rash until four days after rash appears How does it spread? Airborne by a fine mist triggered when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or talks. This stays suspended in the air for up to 3 hours Are Sinus Infections Contagious?
Sinus infections (sinusitis) can make it hard to breathe, and the pressure in your face can hurt. It can also make you cough and produce a lot of discharge. That may make you wonder if you could pass it on to someone else.
The answer is sort of. But it really depends on what caused it. And often you just don't know.
Most sinus infections are brought on by a virus. If that's what happened to you, then yes, you can spread the virus that caused it but not the infection itself. Another person might get sick but may or may not get a sinus infection. Most of the time, these kinds of viruses cause colds, which may or may not lead to sinus infections.
Sometimes when the sinuses are blocked and filled with mucus, bacteria can grow and cause an infection. If your sinus infection lasts more than 10-14 days, you're more likely to have bacterial sinusitis. If your infection is caused by bacteria, you can't spread it.
Some people have chronic sinusitis, which lasts for at least 12 weeks. It's often caused by allergies. Polyps (tissue growths in your nose) or a deviated septum (crooked wall between your nostrils) raise your risk.
Sometimes, tobacco smoke, dry air, or polluted air can also trigger sinusitis.
You may not know what is causing your sinusitis, so it's best to avoid close contact with other people and to make an appointment with your doctor.
If a virus is to blame, you may have been contagious days before you got the sinus infection.
Most viruses can be spread for just a few days, but sometimes you could pass it on for a week or more.
You can get it the same way you get cold and flu -- by breathing it in or passing it from your hands to your mouth after touching something. Viruses get in the air after someone who is sick sneezes or coughs. They also can be passed on when someone shakes hands with someone who is sick or touches a doorknob or anything else the sick person has touched.
To keep from getting a virus, wash your hands often with soap and water. Try not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. Try to avoid people who have cold- and flu-like symptoms.
If you have sinusitis, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands to avoid making anyone sick.
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