first the vast majority of people who think they have "the flu" (influenza) do not and not all viral infections are the same. non-medical people often call any illness associated with fever or body aches as the flu. children can spread influenza (true lab diagnosed influenza) for about a week. several days longer than adults. adults and children can also be contagious a day before they develop influenza. tamiflu does reduce viral shedding if taking early. in the first 2 days. schools and day-care facilities tend to make up their own rules often without any medical consultation. allowing a child to return to school 24 hours after a fever has resolved is not a valid parameter for all illnesses including the flu. children should return to school when they are well not just fever-free. <link>
flu: people are contagious for 5-10 days (viral shedding) why are children allowed back to school after 24 hr fever free. i have heard so many confusing answers. cdc says people are shedding the flu virus for 5-10 days after first sign of symptoms. would this not make people infected with the flu virus contagious for up to 10 days after fist symptoms. does tamiflu reduce viral shedding since it is an antivirus?