How is the flu contagious?

The flu or influenza is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. These droplets, containing viral particles, can be inhaled by nearby individuals or land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. Direct contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated surfaces can also facilitate the spread of the flu. Here's a closer look at how influenza spreads:

1. Respiratory Droplets: When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets containing the influenza virus are expelled from their respiratory tract. These droplets can travel several feet through the air and remain suspended for a brief period. If another person breathes in these droplets, they can contract the virus.

2. Close Contact: The flu can also spread through close contact with an infected person, even if they don't cough or sneeze. This is because respiratory droplets can be spread through talking, singing, laughing, or even breathing heavily. Sharing personal items like utensils, drinking glasses, or toothbrushes can also increase the risk of infection.

3. Touching Contaminated Surfaces: Influenza viruses can survive on hard surfaces for several hours and on soft surfaces like tissues or clothing for up to a day. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, these surfaces can become contaminated with the virus. Touching such surfaces and subsequently touching one's eyes, nose, or mouth can lead to infection.

4. Viral Shedding: People infected with influenza can spread the virus even before they develop symptoms and for a few days after they start feeling sick. This makes it challenging to prevent the spread of the flu, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus to others.

It's important to practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, and avoiding contact with infected individuals, to reduce the risk of catching or spreading the flu. Seasonal influenza vaccination is also highly recommended to protect against infection and its potentially serious complications.