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Swine Flu Incubation Period

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What is the Swine Flu?

The swine flu is a type of influenza, specifically AH1N1 that is having a significant impact on the world. The weekly death rate in the US has leveled off at about 450 deaths/week, although it is likely to increase as the older demographics catch the virus.

According to some sources, the mortality rate of the flu could be well over 1%, although many say it is somewhere between 1 and .5%. This is a more accurate figure and it means that up to a million people could die in the US. In order to best prepare for the flu, you need to know about the symptoms and how long the incubation period is.

The hospitalization rates for the flu are even higher, with about 15% of infected people being hospitalized and another 20% of those hospitalized requiring ICU treatment. This is because the flu directly attacks the lungs, leading to severe pneumonia that often includes coughing up blood and other serious effects.

What is Swine Flu's Incubation Period?

The incubation period for the swine flu has been estimated to be about 48 hours, although some people are shorter or longer. That is not to say that people aren't contagious during the incubation period because they are. Someone infected with the virus can be contagious as early 24 hours before onset of symptoms. For some people this can be almost as soon as they catch the virus.

If you've been in contact with someone that has swine flu, it is best to isolate yourself during the incubation period so as to decrease you chances of infecting other people. If you start showing symptoms (or before if you're in a high risk group), request Tamiflu from your doctor so you can get the most out of the medicine. The CDC has recommended against preventative doses, but you still might be able to get one from your doctor, especially if you're a high-risk group like pregnant women.

How Long Are You Contagious After Symptoms Subside?

Studies have shown that people are still contagious up to two weeks after symptoms have stopped. The average time, however, was about one week after resolution of symptoms. You will want to avoid people that have had the swine flu for about one week to minimize your chances of catching the virus because the amount of virus shed was generally low after one week, even in people contagious up to two weeks.

You should note, however, that not everyone shows symptoms for flu. Some people just feel sick, while others have a fever and cough. This means that you might not know if someone has the flu or not and that a fever is not a good indicator of who is or isn't sick with the flu. The CDC's recommendation that you should go back to work and school 48 hours after your fever ends is incorrect if you want to avoid spreading the ailment. You should wait at least 4 days, although preferably more.

How To Prepare For Swine Flu

The best way to prepare for swine flu is to make sure you don't get the virus. You'll need to stay away from sick people and stay in well-ventilated areas. Enclosed rooms are a breeding ground for disease and one of the easiest ways to get sick. Washing your hands can be somewhat effective in staving off the flu, but it's not the end-all of getting sick and won't help you that much.

I recommend using masks if you're in a high-risk environment where there are multiple confirmed cases.

You can find out more about how to prepare for swine flu here:

Prepare For Pandemic Flu

This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about surviving through a pandemic, be it swine flu, bird flu, or any other. It's a must-have for anyone that is serious about their health and that wants to prepare for the flu.

Additional Swine Flu Resources

What Is The Swine Flu Incubation Period: The swine flu is a moderately severe virus that is infecting thousands of people daily around the world. The reported death toll is about 6,000, although the actual number is probably significantly higher.
How Does Swine Flu Kill You: In the past two weeks, there have been approximately 1,000 flu or pneumonia-related deaths in the US. This is up from 100 deaths weekly on the previous two weeks. This is due to the sharp increase of...
Pandemic Flu Facts: The 2009 flu season has started early - August 30th - and with a bang. We're seeing an exponential growth of cases - cases of influenza-like-illness have increased almost four fold in college-aged kids. ...