Why You Get the Flu: Incubation Period and Isolation Period

This year, the flu outbreak is said to be unusually severe. As flu cases have increased nationwide, a flu epidemic alert has been issued.

The flu is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus, and like COVID-19, it spreads through droplets from infected patients. It can cause sudden and severe symptoms that make everyday life difficult.

For people at risk of severe flu, complications can become life-threatening, so rather than thinking of it as just a cold, it is better to prepare in advance and manage winter health. Today, we will look at why people get the flu and briefly go over the flu incubation period and flu isolation period.

Why You Get the Flu

The reason you get the flu is the influenza virus.

The influenza virus is an RNA virus belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. Depending on the virus type, it can be broadly classified into type A, type B, and type C. Among these, the viruses that can affect humans are types A and B, and in particular, type A influenza virus mutates rapidly and is highly contagious, making it the species that leads outbreaks around the world every year.

Influenza Virus Classification

So, what features does each virus type have? Let’s look at the classifications.

💉Type A Influenza

• A virus type that spreads worldwide.

• It has various subtypes and is one of the reasons for pandemic flu outbreaks.

• Subtypes are determined by the combination of the surface proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA).

• H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes mainly cause seasonal flu.

💉Type B Influenza

• Compared with type A, symptom severity is relatively milder.

• Mutation and contagiousness are also relatively weaker than type A.

• It can spread only from person to person.

💉Type C Influenza

• A virus that does not cause major clinical problems. It remains limited to sporadic small outbreaks and is not a major threat.

Flu Incubation Period

Flu symptoms appear after a certain incubation period. Even during the incubation period, the virus is contagious, so caution is needed.

The flu incubation period is generally about 1 to 4 days. The average incubation period is about 2 days, but this can vary from person to person, so it can be estimated at 1 to 4 days.

Full-blown symptoms appear after the incubation period, and contagiousness can become even stronger.

Because it is most contagious in the early stage, if you have been in contact with a suspected patient or have unusual symptoms, it is best to avoid going out as much as possible, seek medical care, and isolate at home.

Flu Isolation Period

So, how long should you isolate at home? It is not a disease for which isolation is mandatory under infectious disease classifications, but given its high mutability and contagiousness, isolation is advisable.

The recommended flu isolation period is from 1 day before symptom onset to about 7 days after symptom onset.

In the case of children or immunocompromised people, infectiousness may last even beyond 10 days after symptoms appear, so it is best to set the isolation period at about 10 days. If activity is necessary before then, it is good to carefully check the following conditions.

• End isolation only after at least 24 hours have passed since the fever has returned to normal without the use of fever reducers.

• If fever reducers have been taken, observe 48 hours have passed since the last dose.

• If normal body temperature is maintained during observation, isolation can be lifted.

• However, some people may still remain contagious, so it is best to avoid crowded places until the isolation period is fully over and to always wear a mask.

Conclusion Now that the flu outbreak has begun in earnest, it is necessary for each person to follow infection prevention guidelines.

When coughing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve, and lower the risk of infection through proper handwashing.

Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, and ventilate indoor spaces frequently so that air does not remain stagnant for long.

If you have a fever or unusual respiratory symptoms, it is advisable to receive appropriate medical care.

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