How long is bronchiolitis contagious?
The incubation period of the common cold is typically 36 to 48
hours, but, in some cases, symptoms can arise within 12 hours, or
slightly less, of catching the virus. From the time a cold virus
enters the nose, it takes 8-12 hours for the viral reproductive
cycle to be completed and for new cold virions to be shed
(released) in nasal secretions. This time period is called the
"incubation period".
However, the incubation period differs depending on the specific
common cold virus involved and the individual infected. There are
over 200 viruses responsible for the common cold. According to the
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incubation
periods for a few of the most common causative viruses involved
with the common cold are:
Rhinovirus: 2-7 days.
Coronaviruses: 2-10 days.
Adenoviruses: 2-14 days.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): 2-8 days
Cold symptoms can also begin shortly after new virus particles
are first produced in the nose (10-12 hours). The time from the
beginning of the infection to the peak of symptoms is typically
36-72 hours. Adults can be infectious beginning a day or two before
feeling any symptoms. Some people never develop symptoms even if
infected allowing for more unknowing spread of the disease. The
most contagious period is typically on the third day following
initiation of symptoms.