USA Today: Have you caught a cold? Here's how long you will be contagious.
UC expert says it's best to get plenty of rest at the onset of a cold
As the leaves and temperatures drop this fall, it means the return of the cold and flu season. USA Today published a story on the common cold, focusing on how long people are contagious once they get a cold. According to the NHS, the common cold is contagious for a few days before symptoms start “until all of your symptoms are gone.”
One of the experts interviewed for the story is Katherine Schmidt, MD, of the Department of Internal Medicine at the UC College of Medicine.
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],” says Schmidt.
Katherine Schmidt, MD, of the Department of Internal Medicine at the UC College of Medicine/Photo/Joe Fuqua II/UC Marketing + Brand
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.”
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.
Next Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities. UC's graduate students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Before the medals: The science behind training for freezing mountain air
February 19, 2026
From freezing temperatures to thin mountain air, University of Cincinnati exercise physiologist Christopher Kotarsky, PhD, explained how cold and altitude impact Olympic performance in a recent WLWT-TV/Ch. 5 news report.
Blood Cancer Healing Center realizes vision of comprehensive care
February 19, 2026
With the opening of research laboratories and the UC Osher Wellness Suite and Learning Kitchen, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Blood Cancer Healing Center has brought its full mission to life as a comprehensive blood cancer hub.
Nursing innovation emerges as critical lever in healthcare transformation
February 18, 2026
Recognizing both the urgency and the opportunity, the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing is taking deliberate steps to position nurses at the forefront of healthcare transformation. It has created an Innovation Strategic Plan and established a dedicated Industry Advisory Board to forge the academic-industry partnerships essential to accelerating nurse-driven innovation.