What Is an Incubation Period?
Incubation (Lat. incubationem = a lying upon eggs) period is the time from exposure to a microbe (like influenza virus) to symptoms appearance.
What Is a Contagious Period?
Contagious (Lat. contingere = touch closely) period is the time during which an infected person is able to spread an infection to others.
Table 1: Incubation and contagious period of seasonal, swine and bird flu
| FLU TYPE | INCUBATION PERIOD | CONTAGIOUS PERIOD |
| SEASONAL INFLUENZA | About 2 days (1) | From 1 day before symptoms appearance to 7 days (or more in children), or 24 hours after cessation of fever (2) |
| SWINE FLU – 2009 PANDEMIC INFLUENZA H1N1 | 1 - 7 days (3) | From 1 day before symptoms appearance to 7 days (or as long as symptoms last) (3) |
| BIRD FLU – AVIAN INFLUENZA H5N1 | 2 – 17 days (4)* | 7 days (up to 21 days in children) after symptoms appearance (5)* |
*In bird flu, incubation and contagious period are not yet exactly determined.
All types of influenza, when there are no complications, usually last up to seven days. If you have symptoms of influenza, you should stay at home, avoid physical effort (preferably stay in bed) for at least 24 hours after cessation of fever.
Related Articles:
- Types of Flu Affecting Human
- Swine Flu – 2009 Pandemic Influenza H1N1
- List of Respiratory Infections
- Itchy Throat
References:
- Seasonal flu incubation period (who.int)
- Seasonal flu contagious period (cdc.gov)
- Swine flu (H1N1) incubation and contagious period (flu.gov)
- Bird flu (avian influenza H5N1) incubation period (who.int)
- Bird flu contagious period (health.vic.gov.au)
No user Responded In "Incubation Period and Contagious Period of Seasonal, Swine and Bird Flu"