That achy feeling, the sniffles, the dreaded fever...yep, it might be the flu. But the bigger question lurking in your mind is likely: "How long am I contagious and when can I finally leave the house?!"
Generally, you're contagious with the flu for **about 1 day before symptoms start and for 5-7 days after getting sick**. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer, sometimes even more than 7 days.
So, even if you're starting to feel better, that doesn't necessarily mean you're out of the woods! It's best to stay home and avoid close contact with others until you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours **without** the use of fever-reducing medication. Frequent handwashing and covering coughs are crucial to prevent spreading the flu to others. Stay safe and get well soon!
