How is seasonal influenza spread?
Seasonal influenza spreads rapidly and easily from person to person by respiratory droplets through the air. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets containing the influenza virus get into the air. Another person can breathe them in and become sick. The seasonal influenza virus can also live on hands or other surfaces and be passed through touching. The virus can live on hard surfaces such as toys, eating utensils, door handles and telephones for up to 48 hours and soft surfaces such as cloths for eight to ten hours. It is then spread when a person touches these contaminated surfaces and then touches their own mouth, nose or eyes before washing their hands.
