CNN
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Autumn has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, and the weather is getting cooler. Many people have cold-like symptoms, and some may have tested positive for COVID-19, influenza, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
As winter approaches and viral infections increase, many people are wondering how long they remain contagious after being infected and how long they should take precautions and avoid contact with others. maybe.
How do I know if I’m still contagious? If so, what is the average length of time I can spread viruses like coronavirus, influenza, RSV, and the common cold to others? And what precautions should infected people take at school, work, and home?
To answer these questions, I spoke to CNN Wellness medical expert Dr. Leena Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and George is a professor of health policy and management at the University of Washington Milken Institute School of Public Health. She previously served as the health commissioner for the city of Baltimore.
CNN: Is there an easy way to tell if I’m still contagious after contracting a viral infection?
Dr. Liana Wen: not much. For many viruses, infected people are contagious even before they start showing symptoms.
Also, while there are some tests that can tell if you have the virus, they are usually not used to clear the infection once you have it. The exception is Covid-19.by Centers for Disease Control and PreventionPeople whose symptoms have improved and who have received two negative home coronavirus tests 48 hours apart can end isolation.
Another complicating factor here is that many people may experience lingering symptoms long after the infectious period has ended. For example, after a respiratory illness, a cough often lasts for weeks or even months. These symptoms indicate ongoing inflammation of the airways but do not reflect an ongoing infection or risk to others.
CNN: If a person is infected with a common virus such as coronavirus, influenza, RSV, or the common cold, how long is the average time that person can transmit the virus to others?
Wen: Let’s take a look at each. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, can be spread by asymptomatic people who are infected but do not show common symptoms such as cough, fever, runny nose, or sore throat. . Infected people who have not yet developed symptoms, or are in a pre-symptomatic state, can also be contagious.
Scientists estimate that SARS-CoV-2 is most infectious during the 48 hours before symptoms appear and during the first five days after symptoms develop. The CDC recommends that anyone infected with Covid-19 should quarantine for five days and wear high-quality, snug clothing when around others for the next five days, unless they have two consecutive negative tests as mentioned above. We recommend that you wear a mask. .
Asymptomatic infection with influenza is probably less common. Although it is possible to spread the flu to others before symptoms appear, the most contagious periods are thought to be: 3-4 days since the disease started. The CDC says healthy adults can infect others within five to seven days after becoming ill, and some people, such as those with weakened immune systems, may be able to infect others for a longer period of time. I’m giving advice.
RSV is potentially infectious for a long time. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common respiratory infection that is thought to affect almost all children by the age of 2 and is usually contagious. 3 to 8 days It is possible to be infected after symptoms appear, but before symptoms appear. According to the CDC, some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for up to four weeks after they stop showing symptoms.
Regarding colds, there are the following: over 200 viruses That could be the cause. The duration of infectivity varies depending on the virus and the health of the infected person, but generally follows a similar pattern to the other viruses described here. This means that there can be a period of time during which a person can be contagious before symptoms appear, and typically the period of maximum contagiousness is 3 to 5 days after symptoms begin. However, the virus can spread the virus over a long period of time. two weeks After infection.
CNN: With the possibility of infection for such a long time, what precautions should people with cold-like symptoms take at school or work?
Wen: Schools and workplaces have long recognized that asking people to stay home until the period of potential infection has passed is unrealistic. Even if there were policies requiring people to stay away from school or work for, say, two or even four weeks after symptoms subside, there would still be spread of the virus through asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission.
Also, given that children, on average, experience: 6 games Given that viral respiratory infections affect between 2 and 4 people a year and between 2 and 4 adults, this type of policy results in massive absenteeism, not only affecting workplaces and the economy, but also affecting children. This will have a huge impact on learning and development.
Many schools have policies in place that attempt to balance the importance of keeping children in school during times of greatest contagion with limiting social contact. For example, if a child has a fever, parents may be asked to keep the child home and wait until the child has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications before returning home. In some cases, if your child continues to have noticeable symptoms, such as a cough, medical advice may be needed.
Your workplace may have these or other protocols in place. If you are unsure, please contact Human Resources. If you have a fever or start developing new active symptoms, it is generally recommended that you stay home. If you must return to work, be sure to wear a suitable high-quality mask in public and shared areas to avoid infecting others.
CNN: What should people do to prevent infecting the people they live with?
Wen: This is difficult. Parents of young children know that when their children get sick, they often get sick because it is very difficult to avoid infection through close contact.
The key is to identify who in the household is particularly vulnerable to severe consequences if infected with these viruses. If everyone is generally healthy, many families will decide not to take any special steps to isolate someone with cold-like symptoms. On the other hand, if there is an elderly person suffering from a serious medical condition, it would be reasonable to separate the infected person from that person. The two of you should not eat together or be in the same room for at least a week after symptoms start.
Although it is very difficult to avoid these viral infections, we would like to emphasize that prevention methods are possible and do work. Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. Also, stay up to date on vaccines, including the latest her Covid-19 vaccine, the flu shot, and the new RSV vaccine for people over 60. Importantly, these vaccines reduce the risk of severe disease and reduce the likelihood of getting infected with certain viruses.
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