At the moment everyone seems to be coming down with something. With Covid still circulating and two years of lockdowns leaving many people's immune systems more open to other illnesses, there are a lot of people feeling under the weather as we head into Christmas. Three of the most common are strep A, Covid and influenza.
Good hygiene and hand-washing can help reduce your chances of catching these illnesses. However, if you or a member of your family does succumb then we have put together the likely timeframes that you will be facing to get over the bugs.
How long does strep A last?
It hard to find an exact estimate. Every person is different and of course it depends on whether you seek treatment through antibiotics. Estimates suggest that after becoming infected, it usually takes about two to five days to fall ill.
- Without antibiotic treatment, strep throat can last 7-12 days.
- The infection is likely to get better within three to five days after an antibiotic treatment is begun.
There is a way that you can get tested for a bacterial infection in your throat and get the antibiotics you need without going to the doctor. In Wales, the sore throat "test and treat" service allows patients who have a sore throat to call into their local pharmacy. You can find more details about the scheme here.
How long does Covid last?
After the last few years we are all very familiar with Covid-19. The impact it has on someone varies quite significantly based on a whole range of factors including the viral load. The NHS advice suggests most people with coronavirus feel better within a few days or weeks of their first symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks. Obviously this timescale can be much extended if people suffer with long Covid.
How long does flu last?
Of the three diseases in this article this the one that has been in the public consciousness for the longest. According to the NHS, If you have flu you generally start to feel ill within a few days of being infected. You should begin to feel much better within a week or so, although you may feel tired for much longer. You'll usually be most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further three to seven days. Children and people with weaker immune systems may remain infectious for longer.
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