Flu question about toddler

[ConcernedDad86]

Hello, and thanks for taking the time to read this.

I was hoping to get some clarity on the matter of when an individual is no longer contagious. I have a 4 year old that came down with the flu on the 27th of December, we also have a 1 month old and luckily have escaped them being sick. Our pediatrician told us that once the fever broke and the symptoms cleared up, they would no longer be contagious. I followed up how king that could be, but have yet to receive a response. There's so many differing opinions online as to when one is no longer contagious...24-48 hrs after fever breaks, 5-7 days after onset of symptoms, 8-14 days (is what I've seen). The toddler still gets some nasty cough, mainly at night, but otherwise seems a lot better. We have her mask when she's around her sibling, and she mostly stays in her room. At what point can we resume normality and not worry about her sibling catching it?

[auntiejessi]

According to the CDC (and most other sites I saw), it's up to 7 days except in infants and those with compromised immune systems.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm

"Flu viruses can be detected in most infected persons beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. However, infants and people with weakened immune systems who are infected with flu viruses may be contagious for longer than seven days."

Since your 4 yo isn't an infant, and today is 13 days since she became sick, you can assume she isn't infectious anymore.

You've got your hands full, huh?