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What Is the Incubation Period of Swine Flu H1n1?

The swine flu scare of 2009 had everyone on guard to the slightest sniffle, cough or tummy ache. One of the more prevalent questions being asked was about the incubation period of H1N1 before this flu took over the body.

  1. Significance

    • The incubation period is the time it takes the disease to manifest itself in the human body. During this time, the person has the flu but feels no symptoms. However, he can pass the virus to another person.

    Features

    • The incubation period begins at the moment of infection. The virus enters the body and begins to mount an attack on the immune system.

    Time Frame

    • Incubation for the H1N1 virus is anywhere from one day up to a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu is also contagious up to 24 hours after flu symptoms have gone.

    Misconceptions

    • The infectious period for the disease and the incubation period are not one and the same. The infectious period lasts throughout the illness while the incubation period ends when symptoms overtake the body.

    Treatment

    • If you have been exposed to the swine flu virus, but have yet to develop symptoms, you may be in the incubation period. Contact your doctor to see if Tamiflu is a wise course of action, as the drug works best before the onset of symptoms.

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