How Does the Flu Spread?
Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. People can sometimes become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and infect a person for up to 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface. The CDC is still studying H1N1 and its capabilities, but it believes that the new virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. Studies show people with seasonal flu may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to seven days after they get sick. Children might be contagious for longer periods. You cannot get H1N1 flu from eating properly cooked pork or pork products.
The flu is spread from person to person when someone who already has the flu sneezes or coughs. You can also catch the flu by touching an object, such as a doorknob, that has influenza germs on it and then touching your own eyes, nose or mouth. Even if you don’t feel sick yet, you may be able to infect others with the flu virus.
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
