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The influenza virus is a common illness with symptoms that can range from a moderate fever, chills and congestion to a serious and possibly fatal infection.
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The flu can easily be spread by touch. Just shaking your hand or turning the door ball can spread the virus to you, but maintaining good hygiene practices such as washing your hands can help you avoid getting sick.
Here’s what you need to know about how to protect yourself and how long flu viruses can survive on different bodies, from hard surfaces to tissues and other soft surfaces.
Flu germs live for up to 3 days on hard surfaces
Dr Kelly Reynolds, a microbiologist at the Zuckerman School of Public Health at the University of Arizona, says the flu virus tends to live longer on hard surfaces.
“Influenza viruses live 24 to 48 hours on stainless steel and plastic,” Reynolds explained. This means that the things we usually interact with, like subway poles, can harbor germs for long periods of time.
Reynolds notes that when protecting yourself from germs on hard surfaces, you should target “objects that are typically touched, but rarely sanitized.” This includes cell phones, door knobs, faucets and light switches ”.
Influenza viruses live 8 to 12 hours on tissue
Reynolds says the flu virus tends to live less on tissue than it does on hard surfaces. Scientists don’t have a precise explanation as to why, but it could be because the fabrics are more porous. Studies show that the flu virus can only live for 8 to 12 hours on tissue.
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Sheets, especially pillow cases, and your clothes can be major hot spots for viruses. Your washing machine is not designed to sanitize clothes, but using bleach can help remove persistent viruses. It can also help by running the washer on its highest heat setting, as viruses cannot handle temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
And for other soft items in your home like sofas, you can use a disinfectant spray to get rid of germs, Reynolds says. And when sterilizing fabrics, it’s best to avoid sprays that contain bleach, as they can change the color of the fabrics and stick with non-bleaching sprays that contain ingredients like peroxide.
Influenza viruses live on the skin for about 5 minutes
A 2008 study found that the flu virus could only live on the skin for about 5 minutes. This is because our skin produces antimicrobial substances that help kill germs and protect us from infections.
However, influenza viruses can survive longer if the virus is surrounded by mucus. This means that if you sneeze into your hands it will cause more pollution than just touching something like a doorknob.
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The best way to get rid of germs on your hands is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This removes anything from your hands that might contain germs, such as mucus.
And if you’re outside and can’t reach the bathroom, your best bet is to use hand sanitizer. And be sure to use a disinfectant with at least 60% alcohol to make sure it can kill flu viruses effectively.
Another important step to take if you suspect your hands may be contaminated is to make sure you do not touch your face, as this is a common route for viruses to spread.
The flu and other viruses can be very contagious without proper hygiene procedures. The easiest step to protect yourself is to wash your hands as often as possible, but if you’re concerned about infection, consider sterilizing high-contact items like phones and door sockets as well.
Source: Business Insider
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