What Is the Incubation Period for Swine Flu?

Most people will not start showing symptoms until days after being exposed to the swine flu, or H1N1 virus. Understanding the incubation and contagious periods of the flu can assist in reducing the spread of the virus.

Incubation Period of Swine Flu

• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the actual incubation period of the swine flu is still unknown, but can range anywhere from one to seven days.

Contagious Period

• After symptoms appear, adults can be contagious and able to spread the swine flu for up to seven days after the onset of the illness. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, chills, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting and diarrhea. Children may be contagious for longer periods, but anyone whose illness lasts longer than seven days should seek medical care.

How the Flu is Spread

• People who have contracted the flu and are in the incubation period would have caught in it one of two ways: direct contact, such as airborne contact through sneezing or coughing, or touching contaminated objects, then touching the nose or mouth.

Prevention of the Swine Flu

• Preventing the spread of the swine flu can be accomplished by covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing, and staying home until the fever associated with the flu has been gone for more than 24 hours. Avoiding touching the mouth or nose, especially after contact with other objects, can help prevent contracting the disease.

Vaccination

• The Center for Disease Control recommends certain high risk groups being vaccinated against the swine flu, including pregnant women, those who are ages six months to 24, and people with chronic conditions to help reduce the spread of the swine flu pandemic. Separate vaccinations must be received for the seasonal flu and the swine flu.