When Is an Infection Contagious?

When Is an Infection Contagious?

Contrary to a widely held belief, fever is no indication of whether someone is contagious. "Whether you are contagious depends on the bug you have," says Mark Stafford, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine at UAB. "You may have a fever but not an infection, or you may be infectious but may not have a fever."

To help determine if you are contagious, consider the bug and how it is spread. "Most viruses, such as respiratory viruses, tend to be more contagious because they are transmitted through the air when you cough or sneeze. Other types of infections spread through touch or body fluids are not as contagious because they are not as easily transmitted."

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