You are most infectious during the three days when you first start showing symptoms of a common cold
IT’s the holiday season, and that means sniffles around school and coughing in the office.
But how long is the cold contagious for and when you should stay at home from work? Here’s what you need to know…
How long is a cold contagious for?
According to the NHS, the common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone.
The health service website advises most people will be infectious for a couple of weeks.
Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, which coincides with a person being most infectious.
When you should stay at home from work?
Colds are caused by viruses and easily spread.
While you stay infectious for roughly two weeks, the real danger zone is during the first three days, when your will feel worse.
So you’re doing everyone a favour by staying off work, and keeping kids at home, when the symptoms first appear to avoid spreading the virus.
Staying warm and resting up will also reduce your own recovery period.