<h1>Infection incubation periods</h1> The incubation periods for some infections are: <ul> <li><a href="/chickenpox-shingles">chickenpox</a> – 1-3 weeks</li> <li><a href="/flu">flu</a> – usually around 1-3 days</li> <li><a href="/coughing/whooping-cough">whooping cough (pertussis)</a> – between 6 and 20 days</li> <li>rotavirus – 2 days</li> <li><a href="/diarrhoea-vomiting/norovirus">norovirus</a> – 1-2 days</li> </ul>

What are the incubation periods for infections? 

<h1>Infectious period</h1> The infectious period isn't necessarily the same as the incubation period. With some viruses, such as chickenpox, the person may be infectious before symptoms start to show. ::: body-ad-desktop zones:: 232632,232620,232640 types:: 163 disclaimer:: AD typeFilter:: native_ad adCount:: 1 :::



### Infection incubation periods

The incubation periods for some infections are:

- [chickenpox](/chickenpox-shingles) – 1-3 weeks
- [flu](/flu) – usually around 1-3 days
- [whooping cough (pertussis)](/coughing/whooping-cough) – between 6 and 20 days
- rotavirus – 2 days
- [norovirus](/diarrhoea-vomiting/norovirus) – 1-2 days

### Infectious period

The infectious period isn't necessarily the same as the incubation period. With some viruses, such as chickenpox, the person may be infectious before symptoms start to show.

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Article information

The incubation period is the time between catching an infection and symptoms appearing. Incubation periods vary, depending on the type of infection. Learn about incubation periods here - using content verified by certified doctors.