The infectious periods for some common viral infections are described below.

How long is someone infectious after a viral infection?

The length of time that <a href="/bronchitis">bronchitis</a> is infectious varies, depending on its cause. In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu and you're likely to be infectious as long as you have cold or flu symptoms. ::: body-ad-desktop zones:: 232632,232620,232640 types:: 163 disclaimer:: AD typeFilter:: native_ad adCount:: 1 ::: ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232620,232642 types:: 5,163 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display/native_ad adCount:: 1 :::

Bronchitis infectious period

<a href="/chickenpox-shingles">Chickenpox</a> is infectious from about one to two days before the rash appears until all the blisters have fully crusted or scabbed over. This is usually five to six days after the start of the rash. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232620,233460 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Chickenpox infectious period

The <a href="/cold">common cold</a> is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be infectious for around two weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first two to three days and this is when you're most likely to spread the virus. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232620,245869 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Common cold infectious period

<a href="/flu">Flu</a> is usually most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further three to seven days. Children and people with lowered immune systems may be infectious for a few days longer. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232620,245870 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Flu (influenza) infectious period

<a href="/viral-infections/glandular-fever">Glandular fever</a> is infectious during the incubation period (the time between catching the virus and developing the symptoms). For glandular fever, this can be two to four weeks. Some people have the virus in their saliva for a few months after recovering from glandular fever, and may continue to have the virus in their saliva on and off for years. However, glandular fever isn't very infectious and the length of time people remain infectious varies considerably.

Glandular fever infectious period

Symptoms of measles appear around 10 days after you become infected. Measles is most infectious after the first symptoms appear and before the rash develops. First <a href="/childrens-health/measles#chapter-symptoms">symptoms of measles</a> include: <ul> <li>a high temperature</li> <li>red eyes</li> <li>sensitivity to light</li> <li>cold-like symptoms – such as a runny nose, watery eyes, swollen eyelids and sneezing</li> <li>Around two to four days later, a red-brown spotty rash develops that normally fades after about a week.</li> </ul>

Measles infectious period

<a href="/childrens-health/mumps">Mumps</a> causes your salivary glands to swell. These glands are just below and in front of your ears. Mumps is most infectious from a few days before your glands swell until a few days afterwards.

Mumps infectious period

<a href="/childrens-health/rubella">Rubella</a> is infectious for one week before the rash appears and for up to four days afterwards. You should stay away from school or work for five days after the rash starts to avoid infecting others and try to avoid contact with pregnant women during this time.

Rubella (German measles) infectious period

<a href="/chickenpox-shingles/shingles">Shingles</a> is infectious from when the rash first appears until the last blister has scabbed over. This is usually after about 10-14 days.

Shingles infectious period

Tonsillitis itself isn't contagious but the viruses that cause it are. The length of time you're infectious will depend on the virus. Read more on the <a href="/sore-throat/tonsillitis#chapter-causes">causes of tonsillitis</a>.

Tonsillitis infectious period

<h1>How long will I be infectious after starting antibiotics?</h1> When a person is 'infectious', it means they're able to pass their infection on to others. You're usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, although this time period can sometimes vary. For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longer to absorb them or if you're taking other medication that interacts with the antibiotics.

<h1>Medical Advice</h1> Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your course of antibiotics. It's important to finish your course of antibiotics, even if you're no longer infectious and feeling better. Failing to finish the course may result in the infection returning.



The infectious periods for some common viral infections are described below.

## Bronchitis infectious period

The length of time that [bronchitis](/bronchitis) is infectious varies, depending on its cause. In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu and you're likely to be infectious as long as you have cold or flu symptoms.


::: body-ad-desktop
zones:: 232632,232620,232640
types:: 163
disclaimer:: AD
typeFilter:: native_ad
adCount:: 1

:::


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232620,232642
types:: 5,163
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display/native_ad
adCount:: 1

:::

## Chickenpox infectious period

[Chickenpox](/chickenpox-shingles) is infectious from about one to two days before the rash appears until all the blisters have fully crusted or scabbed over. This is usually five to six days after the start of the rash.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232620,233460
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Common cold infectious period

The [common cold](/cold) is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be infectious for around two weeks.

Symptoms are usually worse during the first two to three days and this is when you're most likely to spread the virus.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232620,245869
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Flu (influenza) infectious period

[Flu](/flu) is usually most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further three to seven days. Children and people with lowered immune systems may be infectious for a few days longer.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232620,245870
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Glandular fever infectious period

[Glandular fever](/viral-infections/glandular-fever) is infectious during the incubation period (the time between catching the virus and developing the symptoms). For glandular fever, this can be two to four weeks.

Some people have the virus in their saliva for a few months after recovering from glandular fever, and may continue to have the virus in their saliva on and off for years. However, glandular fever isn't very infectious and the length of time people remain infectious varies considerably.

## Measles infectious period

Symptoms of measles appear around 10 days after you become infected. Measles is most infectious after the first symptoms appear and before the rash develops.

First [symptoms of measles](/childrens-health/measles#chapter-symptoms) include:

- a high temperature
- red eyes
- sensitivity to light
- cold-like symptoms – such as a runny nose, watery eyes, swollen eyelids and sneezing
- 
Around two to four days later, a red-brown spotty rash develops that normally fades after about a week.

## Mumps infectious period

[Mumps](/childrens-health/mumps) causes your salivary glands to swell. These glands are just below and in front of your ears. Mumps is most infectious from a few days before your glands swell until a few days afterwards.

## Rubella (German measles) infectious period

[Rubella](/childrens-health/rubella) is infectious for one week before the rash appears and for up to four days afterwards.

You should stay away from school or work for five days after the rash starts to avoid infecting others and try to avoid contact with pregnant women during this time.

## Shingles infectious period

[Shingles](/chickenpox-shingles/shingles) is infectious from when the rash first appears until the last blister has scabbed over. This is usually after about 10-14 days.

## Tonsillitis infectious period

Tonsillitis itself isn't contagious but the viruses that cause it are. The length of time you're infectious will depend on the virus. Read more on the [causes of tonsillitis](/sore-throat/tonsillitis#chapter-causes).

### How long will I be infectious after starting antibiotics?

When a person is 'infectious', it means they're able to pass their infection on to others.

You're usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, although this time period can sometimes vary.

For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longer to absorb them or if you're taking other medication that interacts with the antibiotics.

### Medical Advice

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your course of antibiotics.

It's important to finish your course of antibiotics, even if you're no longer infectious and feeling better.

Failing to finish the course may result in the infection returning.

error

 There was an error when submitting your feedback – have a screen break then try again in a few minutes.

Oh no, something’s gone wrong

ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS?

initial

This isn’t helpful

This isn’t relevant

Something is wrong

This isn’t accurate

Please select one.

loading

success

We're listening – we use your feedback to improve your experience, and make our content more helpful.

Thank you for your feedback

References

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

Article information

The length of time you're infectious for after having a viral infection depends on the type of virus involved. Learn about infectious periods here - using content verified by certified doctors.