How the Flu Works Against You
By: Michael Pickett
Updated: January 9, 2013
We all try to avoid getting the flu, but how does it attack the body?
Jessica Austin of the Green River District Health Department says you can pick up the flu by either touching a contaminated surface, or by being in close contact with someone with the flu. But you don't start noticing the symptoms for at least a day after you catch it.
"It takes a couple of days before you start seeing those symptoms of fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose," she says.
You can also still infect others for several days after getting sick.
"Your actually contagious one day before you start having symptoms and signs. Then you might be contagious 2-3 days after those symptoms have started," says Austin.
Your overall health is another factor in how long you'll have the flu. Austin says it hits children and the elderly harder, but if you have a chronic disease, the flu can stay in your system longer than it would for a healthier person.
"Those people that have chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, they're going to be more vulnerable and they'll be sick for a longer period of time," says Austin.
Austin recommends not getting back to work or school until the symptoms of a fever are gone for at least 24 hours.
Jessica Austin of the Green River District Health Department says you can pick up the flu by either touching a contaminated surface, or by being in close contact with someone with the flu. But you don't start noticing the symptoms for at least a day after you catch it.
"It takes a couple of days before you start seeing those symptoms of fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose," she says.
You can also still infect others for several days after getting sick.
"Your actually contagious one day before you start having symptoms and signs. Then you might be contagious 2-3 days after those symptoms have started," says Austin.
Your overall health is another factor in how long you'll have the flu. Austin says it hits children and the elderly harder, but if you have a chronic disease, the flu can stay in your system longer than it would for a healthier person.
"Those people that have chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, they're going to be more vulnerable and they'll be sick for a longer period of time," says Austin.
Austin recommends not getting back to work or school until the symptoms of a fever are gone for at least 24 hours.
