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Incubation period

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 Bets Davis, MFA
Editor Maria Essig
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Updated January 26, 2009

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 26, 2009
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