Flu over xmas - how long are you leaving it to see others?

[flagpole]

Like many, we have been really poorly with the flu over xmas. Temperatures, in bed for days type poorly and totally missed xmas as a result. The worst days for DP and I were xmas eve and xmas day, but yesterday we started to feel much better. We are now feeling tired and left with what feels like the end of a cold, and a bit of a cough.
There is no way i want to give what we have had to anyone. So how do i know when we stop being contagious? I would like to visit family on the 30th but think that we may have a residual cough (based on youngest who is a couple of days ahead), even if we feel better.
Any ideas on how to know if we are still contagious? We will obvs be cautious as we can be with any interactions

Flu is contagious for about 7 days. I came down with flu on 14th and saw my mum on 21st, then my brother and his family of for on 24th; neither of them have caught it.

Hiya! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it isn’t 7 days. So I’m over the 7 day mark and ended up in hospital yesterday (for other tests) and my influenza A swab was still very positive!
according to the nurses and doctors flu is still contagious whilst you are symptomatic. You are constantly shedding the virus whilst in recovery. So just be cautious as this years flu strain is bloody awful and I wouldn’t wish it on my enemies. Hospital was full of it!

We have a similar dilemma, so interested in responses. I'm not sure if flu (out of interest how do you know? Can you get tests not in hospital) but ds been really ill all over Christmas with high temp and cough, which GP brother in law said seems viral and not covid. DH came down what seems same boxing day and now DD coughing so will see how that goes.

We cancelled boxing Day plans but have potential plans (some of which rescheduled from boxing day) every day from tomorrow to 1st. We won't go if anyone still seems ill in themselves, but if they are just coughing a bit, can't decide how long we should leave it to not be very contagious, or to see if I'm coming down with it too.

At the moment I, and mother in law who was already with us for Christmas when D's got ill, are fine, and we've both had the flu jab, which DH hasn't, so I do wonder if it's that, but then both kids had the flu spray in school so maybe not.

I feel a bit down about it as not seen any of my family over Christmas, still have presents for people etc, and of course I feel fine so am at a loose end, but I really don't want to pass anything nasty on.

I know the NHS say first 5 days are MOST contagious with flu but that probably doesn't help.

I would wait 7 days for for 24+ hours with normal (unmedicated) temperature - whichever is longer.

I would warn anyone I was planning to meet, so we can postpone if they don't want to run the residual risk. I would avoid indoors mixing in public places until all symptoms are gone, and would wear a mask if it was an essential task.

Given the number of nasty illnesses that are flying round right now (covid, flu, strep a, RSV), I think wearing a mask is really sensible (whether you're trying to avoid spreading any, or trying to avoid catching!)

I had a horrible fluey bug from the weekend before Christmas which was still lingering on the day itself. I'm only just beginning to feel nearly normal today. So I'd say about a week. I hope you're feeling better soon along with everyone else who's been "battling the bug" this Christmas.

People shed flu for weeks but not necessarily infectious. If you’re well ie. No fever, not sneezing, but just have the ‘post viral’ drag, then will be ok.

Wearing a mask seems the very sensible option anyway as if everyone has just had flu you don’t want to pick up another bug!
the cough and fatigue can be weeks after initial infection but if you have fever, muscle aches, sneezing, sore throat etc then I would say you still very much are contagious but then I am no doctor.
all I know is my own personal experience and how I’m still very contagious 8 days in, and to be honest far too poorly to consider an outing anyway!
just hoping this tamiflu does it’s job as I’ve already missed my whole Christmas with my young children and would hate new year to be gone too…. Feeling very fed up!