Incubation period

The incubation period is the time between infection and the first appearance of symptoms. However, it is usually only a few days. After the incubation period, symptoms such as sore throat and difficulty swallowing, a reddened neck, swollen lymph nodes and fever. However, affected individuals are already contagious before they notice anything of the infection. Depending on the pathogen, the risk of infection begins one or two days before the symptoms begin.

So long a pharyngitis is contagious

In the case of an untreated pharyngitis, the person affected can be contagious for more than three weeks. If the pharyngitis is treated with antibiotics (this is only necessary if the inflammation is caused by bacteria), the affected person is no longer considered contagious after 24 hours. Infection usually occurs via the respiratory tract. Pathogens can therefore be transmitted to other people, for example when coughing. In addition, transmission is also possible via germs on the hands, so ill persons should wash their hands as regularly as possible.

How do you know if you are still contagious?

In the case of pharyngitis, the signs of infection vary depending on the type of inflammation. A bacterial inflammation is particularly contagious, and the germs also remain longer in the throat of the person affected. Even after the pus coats in the throat have subsided, detailed hand hygiene should still be observed for a few days in order not to inadvertently pass on remaining pathogens.

In case of a viral inflammation, one is contagious as long as there are sources of droplet infection. These include especially coughing and sneezing, as this causes germs to be thrown into the air. A chronic pharyngitis is not contagious.

When can I start doing sports again?

Anyone who does sports with a pharyngitis risks a significantly longer course of the disease. The additional physical strain weakens the body’s defenses during the disease phase. This allows the pathogen to settle better in the body.

In addition, it is not fought as effectively, which is why it remains in the body longer. Pharyngitis in particular can also be a symptom of a systemic (affecting the whole body) disease, such as influenza. This often causes additional symptoms such as fever.

In this case sport can lead to heart damage. Therefore, physical activity should be avoided for a while. A guideline is to avoid sports for about one week after the symptoms have subsided.