Are viral infections contagious?

My mother-in-law's doctor said no. However, I do not believe that to be the case.

I have viral bronchitis. I told my mother-in-law I had to stay away from her as my father-in-law has chronic bronchitis. I did not want to infect him with more bronchitis.

Yes they are contagious

Viral Infections




The common cold and flu are typical viral infections that tend to "zap" people with asthma, spiraling their symptoms out-of-control. Influenza known as the flu is a viral infection of the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. The flu produces symptoms of headache, fever, chills, cough, body aches and respiratory distress. The flu is a very contagious type of viral infection and it can be serious for people with chronic lung diseases like asthma. There also exists the possibility for the Influenza to lead to pneumonia.

Viral infections are very contagious and are passed through person to person contact. The secret to helping cease the spread is by hand washing. The best way to control the flu is through vaccine immunization.

Anyone with a chronic lung condition needs to help protect themselves by taking the flu shot. The prime time to get the flu shot is the end of October to mid November. The flu usually begins to hit in December and January and can last until April. If a person has a history of allergies to eggs or egg products then they should consult their physician first before getting the flu shot. A common question is whether or not you can actually get the flu from the flu shot. Actually the answer is no, because the vaccine is made from inactivated or "killed" flu viruses which are not infectious.

Catching a cold can also be very easy because the virus travels through the air. A cold is a minor infection of the nose and throat, typically lasting a couple of days to a few weeks. The symptoms that usually develop are the following:

A runny nose
Difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Cough
Sneezing
A lot of mucus production
Tasting and smelling can be altered
Hoarseness
Fever
Trying to avoid the cold can be difficult when it seems like everyone around you is blowing their nose and sneezing. Washing your hands, avoiding close contact with those who are ill and keeping your fingers away from your face are healthy tips for prevention. If you do catch a cold try and help from sharing it by covering your nose when sneezing with a disposable tissue, washing hands after coughing or sneezing and staying home in an effort to get better. Stay well hydrated by drinking a lot of fluids. There are medications that your doctor can recommend to help with the symptoms, because there is no cure for a cold.

bacterial is contagious.

no.

yes

i think so, viral means it travels through air right, so you breath it in, but i think there are some exceptions

Some Are

no

yes is?

Well...

I think they are very contagious

Depends on which viral infection we're taking about. Transmission routes and susceptibility are different with different viruses. If you gave me more detail I could give you a more exact answer.

Some things - like flu, throat and chest infections are viral and contagious as they are often spread through sneezing etc, but dont know about other viral infections.

There are two reasons you get sick, viruses and bacteria. Bacteria is contageous because it can travel through air, on countertops, and by drinking after someone. Viruses are a bit more deeper than bacteria and therefore isnt contageous by air, but by transferring other ways ex: (sexually, through blood, and saliva) depending on what type of virus you have.

Of course they are. Other wise how would they get transmitted from person to person. The common cold is a virus as is the Flu and Herpes. Tell your Mom to get a new doctor.

See attached for some examples.

I would think viral means it's a virus, and they're contagious.

very contagious in saliva

herpes...HIV...influenza...

Yes viral illnesses's are contagious. Some examples of these are The Flu, Herpes, The common cold....I could go on and on. You're Mother in law is absolutely incorrect.

YES, they are. Bacterial infections are infectious on contact, virals can be airborne. Your mother in law should see another doc.

Some viruses are spread directly from person to person (contagious), such as influenza and the common cold. Other viruses, such as West Nile virus and yellow fever, are not.

Yes they are.Those which you inhale you can pass easily to the person next to you.But some like AIDs arent unless you have contaminated / had sexuall intercourse

Yes they are contagious!

It depends on what type it is and on the person's individual immune system...

Viruses are contagious. What kind of virus did the doctor diagnose? Maybe it WAS contagious, but no longer is. Chicken pox is like that. It's contagios for awhile, then not, but you still may have pox.

Of course they are. But in her case, it was probably a virus that wouldn't be easily transmitted to others.