How Long Is Head Cold Contagious? My Mom Is Sick...

As long as she has symptoms, she is contagious. From www.MayoClinic.com :

"Although more than 100 viruses can cause a common cold, the rhinovirus is the most common culprit, and it's highly contagious.

A cold virus enters your body through your mouth or nose. The virus can spread through droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. But it also spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by using shared objects, such as utensils, towels, toys or telephones. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth after such contact or exposure, you're likely to "catch" a cold."

no your not being anal...your health comes before anything...i would postpone it until your mom is healthy again.when my kids were young-i was anal about staying away from ppl that are sick-family or not-taking care of a sick child is no treat-let alone you being preg.your mom should go to the dr.sounds like a sinus infection.

Would it be an option to ask your mom to go to the doctor? Have her ask them about how long she will be contagious, and then you could go with whatever the doctor says. That way you don't have to be the bad guy if your plans have to be postponed. Plus I can't help but thinking if your mom is sick and worn down she's not going to have as much fun during her special time with your daughter.

Good luck, these are such bummer situations. But once you've made your decision try not to feel too guilty about it. You are just trying to do what is best for your family with whatever you decide!

I think she's still contagious as long as she's having symptoms and I think it's a matter of personal opinion/preference whether you want to continue with all of the plans. I might be inclined to go ahead with the play, but cancel the overnight. I've actually been in a reverse situation many times--I've had to cancel plans because the grandparents refuse to take care of a sick child. I know it's disappointing.

My mother-in-law brought what she thought was an innocent cold 4 weeks ago today. Sunday morning, she was so congested she threw up in our living room. Obviously, she had a nasty cold. By Tuesday, my 6 year old had it. The next weekend, my husband had it...I thought my 3 year old and I had escaped it, but the next weekend, my 3 year old had it. Then. He was almost completely better, and I was happy to finally, after 3 weeks, be able to go out and play with certain friends who are more germ-conscious. I got my DTaP and my flu shots, and not only did they cause me a lot of pain (probably because my body was busy trying to fight off the cold, and couldn't handle the vaccines, too), but two days after my vaccines, I got the cold. Then I got a sinus infection. I've been SO sick for 2 weeks, and I'm 30 weeks pregnant. Our neighbors across the street don't want the cold, so it's literally been a month since we've seen them. I laugh at them a little; their kids are pre-school age, so they don't know how much goes around the school, but honestly, if I could have avoided this one, I would have too--this one really hangs on and is nasty. On the one hand, avoiding all germs is silly--especially colds, since your kid will get them later if not now. On the other hand, I try to decide whether we have "time" to get sick sometimes too--am *I* healthy, and can potentially fight it off? Are we traveling soon, and it will be miserable to be away from home? Do we have photos coming up? I know, it's never convenient to be sick, but some times do seem better than others. Anyway, it's been a month, and I'm wishing I'd sent my mother-in-law home early, as I'm STILL sick this morning.

My pedie told me years ago that you can be contagious up to 10 days, however the first few you are MORE contagious.

Will your Mom keep her hands washed and be careful, or smother the baby in kisses?

I would let her get better and plan another date.

how about she wears a mask, and keeps her hands washed and gelled well?

I don't agree with Sarah - you are definitely contagious when you have the cold - as well as a day or so before, and for 3-5 days while you have it, the cold is pread by droplets in the air from coughs and sneezes and contact with objects such as door handles and keyboards

See I guess I would say the opposite, if your a SAHM and/or your daughter isn't required to go to daycare I would be apt to say go ahead with it, because you can stay home with her and I believe its better children get exposed to germs before school so that their immune system builds up for when they start school. But since your pregnant I wouldn't chance it.

I know the disappointment is there on all parties involved, but try to plan something right away for next week or the following. Then maybe that won't feel so bad.

To the best of my knowledge, a common cold has a contagious stage of 24 hours prior to and 5 days post symptoms. Personally, I would go and enjoy myself and deal with a cold, if and when, I/my child/my husband got it. But it sounds as though you would be more comfortable postponing.

Colds are only contagious BEFORE you realize you're very sick. When you get that scratchy throat from post-nasal drip and have a slight sneeze and/or cough. Once you're all snotty and feel gross you aren't going to pass it on any more.

Personally there is a lot going around right now and I would say just postpone until another time. Why even take the chance. Being sick and pregnant will be miserable and taking care of a sick child will be miserable. It would be different if your mom was from out of town and this was her only chance to see your daughter but it sounds like this is something you could do anytime.

You are most contagious days 2-4 of a cold but are contagious both before symptoms and until symptoms are gone. If your mom has good hygiene then let her go.

ohhh difficult decision.
i agree though, unfortunately, with a cold you're contagious for like 10 days, and the cold symptoms can last up to 3 weeks.
i know me, we steer clear or people with visible cold symptoms, but sometimes you just CAN'T AVOID IT. is your daughter in school/daycare etc? if yes, she will catch stuff there too.
i mean, really, if there is a chance you or your daughter can get sick (work outside, attend school) then let her go, you can't protect her or yourself from these things. but if you are a stay at home mom, and your daughter stays with you, then yes, the amount of times you'll get sick is wayyy less.
difficult decision :(