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Incubation period

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By Jeannette Curtis; Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS

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The incubation period is the time it takes for an infection to develop after a person has been exposed to a disease-causing organism (such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi). The incubation period ends when the first signs or symptoms of the disease appear.

Author:Jeannette Curtis
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Medical Review:
Last Updated: 05/25/2007