How long is the stomach flu contagious?
I know stomach flu can be caused by several different viruses (mainly rotavirus). My sons both got the stomach flu about a week and a half ago. My daughter, who was vaccinated against rotavirus with Rotateq(sp?) came down with it on Saturday. My husband and I have not yet gotten sick. We are supposed to go on a vacation soon. How long until we can consider ourselves "safe" and not likely to get it?
Posted by Untipical Teen
about 3 days after your symptoms stop. Even then make sure everyone washes their hands a lot and don't share food or drink with each other.
Posted by Joseph the Second
If You & your Husband can get through this week without coming down with it, you should be in the "clear..." So keep your hands washed, fingers crossed, - & have a nice Vacation! :)
Posted by Sasha
Its trickier than you think, actually. You aren't sure which virus it was. And you don't know when your daughter picked it up. And you don't know that IF you picked it up, was it on the first day your sons had it or on say, the 5th day.
But a good rule of thumb is 5-14days.
But if you've gotten zero symptoms for 7 days after your daughter's bout, I'd bet money you were ok.
Posted by Annie P
Usually the incubation period for stomach flu viruses is 1-3 days. However, I have seen cases where it takes an entire week for symptoms to start after exposure. It seems that it took your daughter over a week after your boys got it. Sick people are contagious for at least 3 days after their symptoms have stopped. Although, people often have the viruses in their feces for 2 weeks or longer. Make sure everyone washes their hands well and don't let any of those viruses get into your mouth. If you don't have any symptoms for 1 full week after your daughter was sick, you are probably out of the woods. Also, the kids should not go in public swimming pools until they have been well for 2 weeks. Tiny specs of virus filled feces get wisked away from your child's bottom in the pool. There is not enough chlorine in pools to kill these viruses. Another child who gets a gulp of water will get sick. If you intend to break that rule due to your vacation, make sure you wash the kids bottoms well right before they go swimming. This is why the sign at the pool always says that everyone must shower before entering. Good luck.
Posted by Bill E
Our toddler has had two bouts with Rotavirus. We typically got sick about 3 days after her symptoms first showed. Our infant son never came down with the virus, but that may be because he was breast feeding.
Rotavirus is an extremely contagious virus. This virus is persistent and hearty. Rotavirus can stay active on human skin for over 4 hours. The virus will remain active on hard surfaces for for up to 10 days. Nearly every child will be infected with rotavirus by the time they turn five. Reinfections do happen, but typically are less severe the second or third time around.
Be sure to wash your hands and the hands of your infant or toddler often. Especially when out in public places. We suggest that you carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you. Wash the toddler's hands both prior to contact with public objects and after. These sanitizing solutions will kill the rotavirus on contact.
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