Medical question, and also sort of AIBU

[beetlez]

Any doctors out there to help me with a question - are viruses ever not contagious?

I’m asking because we have in-laws visiting imminently, and one of them has been under the weather for a couple of weeks. Blood tests came back normal, and they suspect it to be a ‘viral’ thing. We have a toddler and are concerned about contagion, but the in-laws are insisting they are not contagious and will not be talked out of visiting.

Can a virus affect someone but not be contagious? Are contagious illnesses usually shown up in blood tests? What can we do to minimise risk if contagion during the visit?

Thank you

Re subject line, I think I actually mean WWYD...

Well it just sounds like a regular virus - the likes of which your toddler is probably exposed to everytime they leave the house.
I’d not worry in the slightest. I’m guessing since you’ve just said they are just a bit under the weather, then they aren’t super unwell?
I’d still let them visit and make sure you all follow good hygiene practices.

It’s very unlikely they’ve tested blood for a virus (unless it’s like flu or something- but no way would they be visiting then!). Viruses have an infectious period. It can be anywhere from days to weeks before symptoms first appear to when symptoms start to subside or go away completely. It depends entirely on the virus. Most are infectious for a few days to a week after symptoms start. If ILs are ill enough to have visited a doctor for blood tests, I’d be saying no thank you. If they are rude enough to not take no for an answer, I’d make other plans and conveniently not be home.

Whether it’s a big deal or not that they’re ill, it’s bloody rude to insist on visiting someone who has said it would be better another time. I suspect they won’t be the ones losing time/income being at home with a sick child?

Thank you for the replies. Two different perspectives here.

The 'under the weather' description was from them - we haven't seen them for a while, only spoken on the phone. I suspected they were downplaying the illness, as they didn't want to alarm us. They've booked travel to see us (same country, but not close) and hate cancelling tickets.

We cannot tell them not to come - that's not an option, as we will massively fall out and I don't want to, as we get on very well generally. I just need to understand how best to avoid contagion now