When it comes to the flu, you are always advised to stay home so that you don’t get other people sick. But for how long do you have to shut yourself away? Here, you’ll get to know what flu is, its causes, symptoms , how flu is spread and how long does it become contagious.

What is Influenza (Flu)?

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness that infect the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs). It’s caused by a virus that spreads easily from person to person. This virus usually cause the most illness during the colder months of the year. In the United States, flu season is from October to May.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of the Flu?

The symptoms of flu  range from mild to severe illnesses and can sometimes lead to death. Most people start to feel sick about 2 days after they come in contact with the flu virus. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

1. Fever
2. Sore throat 
3. Cough
4. Headache
5. Tiredness 
6. Runny nose
7. Weakness
8. Dizziness 
9. Diarrhea 
10. Loss of appetite

However not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How Flu Spreads.

Expert believe that flu can be spread through droplets in the air. When sick people sneeze or cough out beads of moisture that contain the flu virus, it can travel up to 6 feet and these droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Also, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it like desk, counter or doorknob and then touches their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes. This is because the virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours.

When is the  Flu contagious?

The flu  can be contagious 24 hours before your symptoms appear, so a person can spread it from a day before they feel sick until their symptoms are gone.

After symptoms start, adults can spread the virus for five to 10 days.2 However, the amount of virus spread decreases significantly after three to five days. Adults are most contagious with the flu from 24 hours before symptoms start to three to five days afterward.

With children, they can spread the virus for up to 10 days, and sometimes even beyond that. People who have serious immune system problems can spread influenza for weeks, or even months, after they get it.

After symptoms start, adults can spread the virus for five to 10 days.2 However, the amount of virus spread decreases significantly after three to five days. Adults are most contagious with the flu from 24 hours before symptoms start to three to five days afterward.

Children can spread the virus for longer—up to 10 days, and sometimes even beyond that. People who have serious immune system problems can spread influenza for weeks, or even months, after they get it.

How Long Does the Flu Last?

Fever and other flu symptoms often go away after a week or so, but some people may still have a cough or feel weak for longer than that.

Preventing the Flu After Exposure

To make spreading the flu less likely, everyone in your family should::

• Wash hands well and often with soap, especially after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and before eating or preparing food
• Never pick up used tissues.
• Never share cups and eating utensils.
• Stay home from work or school if they have the flu.
• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, then put it in the trash.
• Cough or sneeze into their upper arm, not their hands, if a tissue isn’t handy.