FLU is contagious for 5-7 days after symptoms subside

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.

I learned something new last night. ...

Maybe I heard it before,forgot, or whatever. But I find it very interesting that a person is contagious 1-2 days BEFORE they come down with the flu, and then STILL CONTAGIOUS 5-7 days AFTER the symptoms subside.

I found this on the CDC website.

We have had quite a bunch of sick residents in our LTC facility. Seems they go out of their rooms after the 24-48 hour bug, and now we see it's no wonder they are getting ill. Those who appear better are the ones infecting still.

Just thought I would share!

Thanks

Mo

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

That is a good point to make.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.

Has the flu been a problem in your healthcare setting?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Monica, can you post the link to where you read that please? I have heard so much conflicting info about the Flu this year. I've been relying on the CDC to give it to me straight.

The last info I read about it stated you were contagious one day before onset of symptoms and up to 7 days after onset of symptoms. Children can be contageous 7 days longer than that. (no wonder they are always sick around here!)

the link I checked last is http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/flu_vac.htm

mentions 7 days from fever onset. And children can be contagious for even up to 4 weeks.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.

I found the information on the link as it is posted in a couple of the posts.

http://www.cdc.gov and then there is a section I found on flu outbreak within acute and long term facilities. I have now instructed all my staff to not allow the resident out of their room for 5 days if they have had flu like symptoms. No going to activities, therapy, or dining room. This has helped alot. We had 30% of our facility sick with flu. As for the flu shots, CDC is suggesting that the wrong strand was pegged this year, so essentially making is useless to those who got one this year. I believe it will still have some benefit, however it was not projected properly as predicted.

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