How is Flu Spread?

Flu is highly contagious. It's passed on when people breathe in droplets containing the flu virus that have been coughed or sneezed into the air. You can also catch flu by touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus.¹

From the time you first get infected by the virus, it can take between one and three days before you feel any symptoms.^1,2

Frequent hand washing and sneezing and coughing into a tissue can help prevent flu from spreading, as can avoiding crowded places.¹