What is the incubation period for a cold or flu?

While the general incubation period for the flu is usually between one and four days, this period can vary from person to person. The average incubation period for the flu is two days . This means that, on average, people start to develop flu symptoms about two days after coming into contact with the influenza virus.Click to see full answer. Also, what is the incubation period for a cold?After an incubation period of 24 to 72 h, cold symptoms begin with a scratchy or sore throat, followed by sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and malaise. Temperature is usually normal, particularly when the pathogen is a rhinovirus or coronavirus.Also Know, can you be exposed to a cold and not get it? Can someone be infected with a cold virus and not show symptoms? Yes, it is even possible to be exposed to cold viruses and not become infected. When people are infected, they can be asymptomatic (i.e., showing no symptoms); this is called a sub-clinical infection since the infection is not causing a disease. Likewise, people ask, how long does it take to get sick after being exposed to the flu? Symptoms of influenza usually appear 1-4 days after exposure. How long can a person spread influenza? Persons are most contagious during the 24 hours before symptoms appear and may be contagious for up to 5 -7 days after getting sick.How long is a cold infectious to others?The common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be infectious for around 2 weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you’re most likely to spread the virus.