HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

How Long Does Diarrhea Remain Contagious?

default
Posted on Sat, 31 May 2014
Question:
after a 24-hour virus with vomiting and diarrhea, how long am I contagious?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
you are not contagious with diarrhea.

Detailed Answer:
hi XXXX,
contagiousity depends on the type of infection.
Is virus proved in your case, or is just a guess? depends what type of virus did you have?
In general, people with gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) will not transmit infections to others as the viruses causing it are generally food or water borne.
contagious nature is seen with respiratory viruses like measles, chicken pox etc which will not show as gastroenteritis.
So be happy. you are not contagious.
hope this helped.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (1 hour later)
I was with a woman who had just been with another woman with those signs and symptoms, and she became sick with the same thing when I was there. Then three days later I came down with the same symptoms. And my husband came down with it two days after I had been at the woman's house. Is there an explanation?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Transmissibility can range fro hours to years.

Detailed Answer:
HI,
There seems to be a common source of infection. The transmission could be anyway from a simple shake hand to a vector and is impossible to identify in many cases.
As there is no fever, the infection must be localized to the gut, and hence if you are careful for 72 hrs from onset, your infection should abate.
Transmissibility can not be guessed as it can range from few days to years (if you have spores of the contagion in your gut), especially when untreated. Washing hands thoroughly and avoiding stored and rewarmed foods will help.
hope this helped.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vaddadi Suresh

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 963 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
How Long Does Diarrhea Remain Contagious?

Brief Answer: you are not contagious with diarrhea. Detailed Answer: hi XXXX, contagiousity depends on the type of infection. Is virus proved in your case, or is just a guess? depends what type of virus did you have? In general, people with gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) will not transmit infections to others as the viruses causing it are generally food or water borne. contagious nature is seen with respiratory viruses like measles, chicken pox etc which will not show as gastroenteritis. So be happy. you are not contagious. hope this helped.