Health
How long you’re contagious with the flu — and when it’s safe to go out
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The U.S. is in the thick of flu season, with many states reporting “moderate to very high activity” of influenza-like illness, according to the CDC.
With influenza A (H3N2), or subclade K, making up a large portion of the circulating viruses, doctors emphasize the importance of getting the most recent flu vaccinations, staying at home while sick and washing hands frequently, among other prevention tactics.
If you’ve been exposed to or infected with influenza, here’s what to know about how long the virus is transmissible.
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“You are typically contagious with the flu for five to seven days after symptoms start,” Dr. Samantha Picking, the Massachusetts-based senior director of immunizations at Walgreens, told Fox News Digital.
“However, some groups remain contagious for longer periods. Young children and people with weakened immune systems can spread the virus for more than seven days, sometimes extending to two weeks or longer.”
The U.S. is in the thick of flu season, with many states reporting “moderate to very high activity” of influenza-like illness, per the CDC. (iStock)
It’s a myth that people can’t be contagious until they experience symptoms, according to Picking.
“The flu is most contagious during the first three to four days after symptoms appear,” she said. “However, you can begin spreading the virus a day before feeling ill and may remain contagious for up to a week or longer.”
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The incubation period — the time between exposure to the virus and when symptoms start — is typically two days, though it can range from one to four days, the pharmacist added. People with mild symptoms can still spread the flu.
“The vaccine still provides protection against serious illness resulting from the subclade K variant that seems to be going around,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
For anyone who is starting to feel sick or has been around someone who has the flu, Picking recommends limiting contact with others to avoid spreading the virus.
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“To be safe and prevent spreading the virus, stay home until you’re fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine,” Picking advised. “For most healthy adults, this typically corresponds to five to seven days after symptoms begin.”
People can take extra precautions, like masking, for a few days after returning to normal activities, she added.
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“However, use your best judgment and consult a healthcare professional if you’re unsure whether you’re well enough to leave the house,” she added. “If your other symptoms aren’t improving, or you generally still feel ill, it’s wise to stay home and practice good hand hygiene.”
Young children and people with weakened immune systems may be able to spread the virus to others for a longer time period, sometimes for up to 14 days, according to the pharmacist.
“Stay home until you’re fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine.”
Picking noted that a cough can linger for weeks after other symptoms have abated. “While a lingering cough is not necessarily a sign that you’re still contagious, it’s considerate to mask up and practice good cough etiquette when around others,” she advised.
Some antiviral medications, when initiated early on, can shorten how long someone is contagious with the flu.
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“These medications work best when started within two days of seeing symptoms,” Picking noted. Anyone who is interested in antivirals should speak with a healthcare provider or pharmacist for personalized guidance.
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Flu symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat and runny nose.
Subclade K has been detected as the culprit in rising global cases, causing more intense symptoms and higher risk of spread.
The flu is most contagious during the first three to four days after symptoms appear, a pharmacist said. (iStock)
“It’s becoming evident that this is a pretty severe variant of the flu,” Dr. Neil Maniar, professor of public health practice at Boston’s Northeastern University, previously told Fox News Digital. “Certainly, in other parts of the world where this variant has been prevalent, it’s caused some severe illness, and we’re seeing an aggressive flu season already.”
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“The vaccine still provides protection against serious illness resulting from the subclade K variant that seems to be going around,” he added.
Angelica Stabile contributed reporting.
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Yoga is known to boost relaxation, strength and flexibility – and now a new study has found the practice could improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances after cancer treatment.
The findings were presented last week at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.
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The study was conducted across multiple U.S. community cancer care sites, including 410 adult cancer survivors averaging 54 years of age. Around 75% were breast cancer survivors, and none of them had practiced yoga regularly within the prior three months.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances in cancer survivors. (iStock)
The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.
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Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced “moderate-to-large” reductions in overall mood disturbance, “small-to-medium” reductions in anxiety and “medium-to-large” reductions in fatigue, the study found.
The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga’s beneficial effect on sleep quality, according to the researchers.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training. (iStock)
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug,” lead investigator Yuri Choi, PhD, of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York, told Fox News Digital.
The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug.”
The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.
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“The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%),” noted Choi.
“We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of a mobile app to reach people in rural communities.”
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The research also excluded patients with metastatic cancer (whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).
The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted. (iStock)
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.
Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted.
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“Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working with cancer patients/survivors or individuals with other challenging health conditions,” the researcher advised. “They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community.”
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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.
The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
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