How long is a patient with impetigo contagious after starting antibiotics?

A patient with impetigo is considered contagious for 24 hours after they have started appropriate antibiotic treatment. This is a crucial timeframe as it indicates that after a full day of antibiotics, the risk of transmission to others significantly reduces.

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that is highly contagious, often spread through direct contact with the sores or through contact with items like towels or bedding. Once antibiotic therapy begins, the bacteria causing the infection are effectively suppressed, reducing the likelihood of passing the infection on to others.

In practice, this 24-hour rule helps in managing the spread of infection in settings like schools or daycare facilities. Therefore, once patients have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and their sores are healing, they are typically considered non-contagious and safe to return to their normal activities.