Being contagious means you can transmit an illness to another person.Knowing if you are contagious will prevent you from spreading it to other people.Viruses are the cause of a cold and the flu.bacteria can cause many infections that are highly contagious.Precautionary measures can be taken to prevent the spread of the illness if you discover that you are contagious.
Step 1: Take the temperature of your body.
The normal temperature range is 98.7 to 99.5F.If you have a high temperature, you are probably contagious.It's not as common as the flu, but if you have a cold or flu-like symptoms, you're contagious.Your body is able to fight off infections by running a high temperature.Body temperature can be measured in a variety of ways, from rectally in the ear to under the arm.The flu can cause a high temperature of 100 to 102F (37.8 to 38.9C) and even higher in children.Most cases of the flu will last for three to four days.Your brain has a structure called the hypothalamus.The hypothalamus increases body heat when you have an illness.
Step 2: Take a look at your mucus and nose mucus.
It's a good sign that you have an upper respiratory infection and inflammation in the respiratory tract with thick or discolored yellow/green mucus.It also means that you are spreading the disease.Children with thick white, yellow, or green drainage from their eyes are contagious as well.The common cold, sinusitis, epiglottitis, laryngitis, and bronchitis are some of the respiratory illnesses that involve thick or discolored mucus.mucus in your nose is produced by the immune system to flush out illness.This causes your nose to be full, and indicates that you are spreading.It's possible to see a doctor if you have thick or discolored mucus that doesn't clear in a week.Your doctor can perform tests to determine the cause of your symptoms, order antibiotics, and determine if you are contagious.
Step 3: Look for a rash.
A skin rash is a sign of being contagious.It is possible that the rash affects large portions of the body.You are contagious if you have a viral rash, like with illness such as chickenpox.There are some infections that can cause a skin rash.Ringworm and athlete's foot can cause skin infections.There are two ways that a bug can spread.On both sides of the body, there is a rash that spreads to the center.The central rash starts from the chest or back and then spreads to the arms and legs.The pattern of spreading the viral rash is just described.Allergies can cause rash on the body, but they don't have a specific pattern of spreading.The Coxsackieviruses tend to stay in certain areas.When this virus causes hand, foot, and mouth disease, it causes a rash mainly in and around the mouth and on the hands and feet.
Step 4: It's a good idea to watch for a slight fever.
When accompanied by vomiting and a low-grade fever, diarrhea can be a sign of a contagious illness.The stomach flu, also known as the stomach bug or the coxsackie virus, is a disease that can be caused by a variety of organisms.The two types of diarrhea are complicated and uncomplicated.There are a number of symptoms of uncomplicated diarrhea, including nausea and vomiting, loose watery stools, and a sense of urgency to have a bowel movement.At most, it involves the passing of stool at least three times a day.Complicated diarrhea includes all the symptoms of uncomplicated diarrhea plus blood, mucus, or undigested food in the stool, accompanied by weight loss or abdominal pain.
Step 5: There is pain in the forehead, cheeks and nose.
It is not an indication of a disease to have regular headaches.Specific types of headaches, where you feel pain in the face and forehead, can be a sign that you are spreading.Sometimes a cold and the flu can cause headaches in the forehead, cheeks, and bridge of the nose.The swelling and mucus build up in the nose causes some irritation.When you bend over the headaches can get worse.Ear infections are not usually contagious.
Step 6: If you have a sore throat and a nose, you should notice.
When you have a cold or the flu, the sore throat can be accompanied by a sore nose.A sore throat without a nose can be a sign of strep throat.This is a very infectious disease.The sore throat can be caused by postnasal drips, which can cause redness and irritation.The throat hurts and feels raw.It is likely that you are suffering from allergies because of the sore throat and watery eyes.The throat irritation caused by allergies is still present, but it feels dry and itchy.
Step 7: Pay attention to the feelings of being sleepy and hungry.
Contagious illnesses can make you sleepy and lose your appetite.You can fight infections by sleeping a lot and eating less.
Step 8: Accurately identify the symptoms of the flu.
Flu symptoms include a high temperature, headaches, general aches and body pain, and sometimes nausea and vomiting.Symptoms from the flu are more severe than those from a cold.The flu can cause serious problems.Someone with the flu is contagious for a day or two before they start to show symptoms, then they remain infectious for five to seven days.For 24 to 48 hours, the CDC considers someone to be contagious if they have a high temperature without the help of medication.If you have other symptoms, such as coughing, you are probably still spreading the disease.
Step 9: The symptoms of a cold are listed.
Symptoms of a cold include a sore throat, cough, congestion, sneezing, mild chest pain, and some general body ache and pain.Colds can be spread one to two days before symptoms appear, and then for the next two to three days when the symptoms are at their worst.There are more than 200 viruses that cause people to get a cold.This type of upper respiratory illness makes you feel bad, but is not usually associated with serious problems.Symptoms can linger for up to 10 days, but the most contagious time is within the first few days when symptoms are the strongest.
Step 10: The combined symptoms should be paid attention to.
If you have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain, it can be a sign of food poisoning or the stomach flu.Food poisoning and gnaenteritis have the same symptoms.It's hard to tell which one you have.Food poisoning is not contagious and the stomach flu is.
Step 11: Consider the people that have been around you.
It is possible to catch a contagious illness for one or two days.It's easier to understand the illness of someone you've been exposed to, even if they weren't yet sick when you were around them.The time of year is important.During certain times of the year, there are more contagious illnesses.The United States has a flu season that lasts from November to March.There are diseases that are specific to certain countries or regions.Depending on where you live, seasonal allergies can vary.
Step 12: Don't have seasonal allergies.
People with strong upper respiratory symptoms can be caused by seasonal airborne allergens.This type of illness is not spread by others.Allergy symptoms are similar to a cold and the flu.Allergy symptoms include general weakness, sore throat and coughing.People with allergies have a lot of itching.You are not carrying a contagious illness if you have allergy symptoms.Lab tests that identify the cause of your allergies can be ordered by your doctor.It can be hard to tell the difference between a cold, the flu, or seasonal allergies.The symptoms change after a day or two.How fast they change can help you determine if your symptoms are from a cold or the flu, or if they are caused by seasonal allergies.Allergies can be caused by the immune system.The immune system fights off certain substances as if they were harmful to our body.The body releases histamines to fight invaders.Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sore throat, wheezing and headaches are some of the symptoms created by histamine.
Step 13: You should get the flu vaccine every year.
Flu vaccines are designed to prevent infections from the most likely strains of flu.If you get the vaccine one year, it won't protect you against the next round of flu.The flu vaccine is important in controlling the spread of the flu.You don't have to be exposed to other illnesses to get the flu vaccine.
Step 14: Put your hands in the sink.
A cold or the flu can be spread from person to person.A common way these illnesses are spread is by touching someone.
Step 15: Use soap and water to wash.
Warm water and soap are placed in the palm of your hand.Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds.You should cover all of your hand, including your fingers, nails, and wrists.Use a towel to turn off the faucet, then wash your hands with a paper towel.You can discard the towel in the trash can.
Step 16: Alcohol gel can be used to clean hands.
Squirt should be put into the palm of your hand.Rub your hands together until the gel dries.It takes about 15 to 20 seconds.
Step 17: Don't talk to people that are sick.
Someone with the flu can spread it as far as six feet away.Small droplets can travel through the air, landing on someone's hands, mouth, nose, or lungs if they cough and sneeze.
Step 18: Be aware of the surfaces you touch.
The germs from one person to another can be carried by door knobs, desks, pencils, and other objects.You can touch your mouth, eyes, or nose after touching an object that has been contaminated with the virus.There is a way for that unwanted virus to enter your body.The flu can live on surfaces for up to eight hours.
Step 19: It's a good idea to protect yourself and other people.
If you get sick, avoid contact with other people until your symptoms improve.Estimates show that between 5% and 20% of the population get the flu in the United States.More than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year and thousands of people die.The elderly, babies, pregnant women, and people with asthma or other lung diseases are at the greatest risk.It is possible to save lives if you protect yourself from exposure and prevent exposure to other people.
Step 20: Stay out of the way of other people.
To avoid spreading the illness, try to stay in an isolated room at home.When your children are contagious, don't send them to school or daycare.
Step 21: When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth.
It is better to cough and sneeze into a tissue than to spread the droplets into the air.
Step 22: Don't share items.
Before being used by other people, bed sheets, towels, dishes, and utensils should be washed.
Step 23: You should be aware of other illnesses.
Most people have the flu and the common cold, but there are many other diseases that should not be overlooked.If you have an illness that may be contagious, your doctor or other healthcare provider is a great place to go.
Step 24: There are people around you who have been diagnosed with an infectious disease.
There are some forms of diseases that can be spread.These conditions are serious and should not be ignored.If someone you know has been diagnosed with an infectious disease, you should consult with your doctor to determine if you are at risk.
Step 25: It's a good idea to recognize childhood infections that are infectious.
In order to avoid contracting serious illnesses, most children receive vaccinations in their early years.Discuss any evidence of illness with your doctor or child's doctor.