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Calise10 t1_ixsurgj wrote

They would not automatically be contagious right away. The incubation period is 1-4 days for influenza. Depending on when a person develops symptoms, you are able to establish the exposure period (when the person is considered contagious). So say you are exposed on day zero, develop symptoms on day three, the exposure period would start on day two. Anyone the person encountered on day two and on may have been exposed. In a hospital setting, we would isolate a patient for seven days after symptom onset, or 24 hours after resolution of fever and symptoms -whichever is longest. Source: CDC

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GCU_ZeroCredibility t1_ixt57zf wrote

1-4 days but the median is under 2. Significantly under 2 for Influenza B where the median incubation time is something like 14 hours! It always amazes me how quickly influenza can work its evil magic.

The "good" news, I guess, is if you think you've been exposed you'll know one way or the other pretty darn quick instead of worrying about it for a week.

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