What it means
After germs enter the body, they need time to multiply before the person feels sick. That time is the incubation period. It differs by disease: a day or two for many colds and flu, and two to three weeks for chickenpox. With some infections a person can spread germs during this time, before they know they are sick.
For the nurse
The incubation period sets how long an exposed person is watched or kept away from others, so check it when deciding about exposed staff or visitors.
At a glance
| Spanish | período de incubación |
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Related terms
infectious disease
An illness caused by a germ such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite.
varicella-zoster virus
The virus that causes chickenpox and, years later, can wake up again to cause shingles.
communicable disease
A disease that can spread from one person, or animal, to another.