It’s that time of the year.

The leaves have turned beautiful colors. Thanksgiving feasts are fast approaching. And the joy of the holiday season will be here before we know it.

Another staple of this time of year? The common cold. Not to be a buzzkill, but people are most likely to develop colds during fall and winter.

If you catch a cold this season, you might wonder how long you need to worry about the possibility of passing it to other people. We did some digging to uncover how long a cold is contagious and what else to know to limit the spread of the common cold.

How long is a cold contagious?

The common cold is contagious for a few days before symptoms start “until all of your symptoms are gone,” according to the NHS.

Colds typically last about seven to 10 days. In the last few days, your cold gradually gets better. “You’re not usually contagious a week or so into [a cold]” clarifies Dr. Katherine Schmidt, UC Health primary care physician and assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

You are the most contagious when “your symptoms are at their worst,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms tend to present themselves within three days of exposure to a virus that causes a cold. They then worsen and start to peak.

How contagious is the common cold?

The common cold is called “common” for a reason. Colds are highly contagious with adults averaging two to four colds annually and children catching even more colds, according to the American Lung Association. Colds can be spread through touch and the air.

What precautions can you take to limit the spread of the cold?

The Cleveland Clinic lists several preventative measures you can take to limit the spread of the common cold:

  • Wash your hands
  • Clean frequently used surfaces
  • Use hand sanitizer
  • Strengthen your immune system
  • Stay home

How long should you stay home if you have a cold?

If you’re worried about spreading your cold, stay home to avoid exposing others to the cold-causing virus. However, you don’t need to stay home for the entire duration of the cold. Schmidt says to stay home during the first two to three days of symptoms when the cold is especially transmittable. When people start to feel better, they can return to daily life.

Schmidt urges people to make sure they take the time they need to get substantial rest though. “You’re not going to be able to go from zero to one hundred,” she says. “We all have stuff that we want to do … but you got to give your body that grace to heal.”

Starting to feel a cold come on?Here’s how long it will last.

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