Question 1

how long is a common cold contagious for? and are we contagious even before symptoms appear?

Accepted Answer

Up to 10 days: Peak viral shedding is on days 2-5. Once symptoms have resolved, patients are no longer infectious. Incubation period is typically 24-48 hours, but may be as short  as 12 hours. Virus isn't usually shed until symptoms appear. Thanks for trusting HealthTap!

Question 2

what period of time is someone who has a common cold contagious?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: You are probably most contagious for the 48 hours before you show any symptoms.  You will stay contagious as long as you have symptoms.  You should be careful of what contact you have with others, particularly if they are very old or very young or have an immune problem (including those on chemotherapy).

Question 3

how long is the common cold contagious for? the same applies for the flu and other common infections?

Accepted Answer

Variable: You are most contagious for a few days before you peak symptoms start

for the flu you are also contagious for several days after you become smptomaic.

Question 4

how contagious is the common cold after i start to feel better?

Accepted Answer

3 days: You're most contagious 1-2 days before you start feeling symptoms [germs are sneaky that way -- it's easy to pass them around when we don't even know that we're sick!]. You're also contagious the first 3 days you have symptoms. Pass the chicken soup!

Question 5

is it true that common cold is contagious the first 3 days only ?

Accepted Answer

Viral illnesses: Yes. And no. One is most contagious from viral illnesses early on and contagiousness diminishes with time. But it is not as clean cut as your question implies.

Question 6

let's say i just caught a common cold.  what can i expect, and for how long?  when will i stop being contagious?

Accepted Answer

Common cold: The common cold is caused by over 200 different viruses and is the commonest infection in the world. Symptoms vary: runny nose, congestion, cough, sore throat, headache and general malaise.  The infection can come on 2-3 days after exposure (incubation period) and last anywhere from 4 to 14 days.  You are infectious as long as you are shedding the virus secretions.

Question 7

if you have a common cold and on day 7 you have close contact with someone with covid-19 (and at contagious state), are you somehow protected against covid-19 infection/symptoms as your body was already fighting another coronavirus?

Accepted Answer

: A "cold" can have many different sources. including coronavirus, but also adenovirus, metapnuemovirus, RSV, Rhinovirus, etc. When a person is sick, their immune system is ramped up fighting whatever virus they have. There can be some cross-protectiveness, but there may not be. It is wise to avoid contact with ill people when you are ill as you can catch other viruses.

Question 8

how long am i contagious from a mild common cold? highly likely infected sunday from massage therapist who was coughing. felt symptoms wednesday. visiting family the following wednesday for thanksgiving small family visit. okay to go if feeling well?

Accepted Answer

: The common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be infectious for around 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. 
If any of your relatives is immune compromised, it would be prudent for both of you to wear masks, and stay more than 6 feet

Question 9

how long is someone contagious for when they have the common cold, flu, or bacterial / viral bronchitis?

Accepted Answer

Contagious periods: The contagious period differs for each type of infection, even among different viruses! there is a range of values based on different infections ranging from common cold to influenza. These vary from 24 hours to up to 2 weeks! you should ask your physician what infection you have and for how long you will be contagious. Common sense dictates that respiratory viruses travel by cough or sneeze.

Question 10

how long is acute bronchitis contagious? i got a chest cold 2.5 weeks ago. still have a mild cough. could i still be contagious? i have no symptoms aside from a slight cough, slight amount of mucus in the morning. could i still be contagious?

Accepted Answer

: COVID-19 screening is recommended. Three to four weeks is usually the point at which, chronic conditions associated with chronic cough are considered. Watch for signs of shortness of breath and fever. It is likely that if you have mucus production,that you may be contagious,but less so than early in the course.

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Doctor answers about:

How long is a common cold contagious

A member asked:

How long is a common cold contagious for? and are we contagious even before symptoms appear?

A member asked:

What period of time is someone who has a common cold contagious?

A member asked:

How long is the common cold contagious for? the same applies for the flu and other common infections?

A member asked:

How contagious is the common cold after i start to feel better?

A member asked:

Is it true that common cold is contagious the first 3 days only ?

A member asked:

Let's say i just caught a common cold. what can i expect, and for how long? when will i stop being contagious?

A member asked:

If you have a common cold and on day 7 you have close contact with someone with covid-19 (and at contagious state), are you somehow protected against covid-19 infection/symptoms as your body was already fighting another coronavirus?

A member asked:

How long am i contagious from a mild common cold? highly likely infected sunday from massage therapist who was coughing. felt symptoms wednesday. visiting family the following wednesday for thanksgiving small family visit. okay to go if feeling well?

A member asked:

How long is someone contagious for when they have the common cold, flu, or bacterial / viral bronchitis?

A member asked:

How long is acute bronchitis contagious? i got a chest cold 2.5 weeks ago. still have a mild cough. could i still be contagious? i have no symptoms aside from a slight cough, slight amount of mucus in the morning. could i still be contagious?

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