What is the Swine Flu Incubation Period?

Pandemic AH1N1, also known as swine flu, is a moderate illness that has been infecting people around the world since mid-april. The extent and virulence of the flu are unknown, but it does appear to be picking up speed, especially in the US where it has been killing approximately 50 people a week, although there may be significantly more H1N1 deaths hidden in the P&I deaths, especially since they started off at about 100/week and are now 300/week.

In order to best survive the pandemic flu, you'll want to understand how it infects you and how long you have before you start showing symptoms, which is referred to as the incubation period. That is, how long the virus stays in your system without causing symptoms. The CDC estimates that the incubation period for swine flu is 1-7 days, although probably closer to 1-4 days, with a median of 2 days. This is consistent with seasonal flu. You should note that people can be contagious during the incubation period, even up to a day before systems start to show.

While the incubation period is important if you want to know if you've been infected, you'll also want to know that the flu can be contagious up to 16 days after symptoms have ended. This means that you can still pass on the virus to people after you feel better and others can do the same to you. You should avoid high-risk groups, especially pregnant women and those with asthma, for at least a week after your symptoms have subsided. This will best ensure their safety and decrease the likelihood of them catching the virus.

Regarding symptoms, here are the most common signs of swine flu illness:

1. Fever
2. Cough, sometimes accompanied by blood
3. Sore throat
4. Diarrhea
5. Vomiting
6. Pain/itching in the ears
7. Muscle and join pain

These symptoms are not all-inclusive and sometimes swine flu has none of these. It really depends on the person and their immune system. With that in mind, you can still die or get very sick if you show few symptoms.

And here are some quick tips that'll help make sure you'll have the best chance at surviving the pandemic:

1. Drink plenty of water, since the flu is likely to dehydrate you.
2. Get Tamiflu early, when it is most effective.
3. Avoid sick people and wear an N95 mask if in the presence of those that are sick.
4. Make sure you get plenty of vitamin D, since that seems to be a risk factor.
5. Get the vaccine as soon as possible, especially if you're in a high risk group.

Sources:

CBS, "H1N1 Spreads Long After Fever Stops."
CDC, "2009 H1N1 Flu U.S. Situation Update."
Daniel DeNoon, "Swine Flu FAQ." WebMD