How long can flu virus live on surfaces?
” Good question. Respiratory droplets can land virtually anywhere. Doorknobs, telephones, computer keyboards, steering wheels, faucets, dishes … the list is endless. Environmental temperature and humidity strongly affect virus survival; in fact, flu season begins and ends when weather conditions change. As a guideline, influenza viruses will survive on hard non-porous surfaces such as steel and plastic for 24-48 hours, and cloth, paper or tissue for eight to 12 hours. Once picked up on your hands, viruses last for 5 to 15 minutes, although within this time period all it takes is touching your face, mouth, eyes, or nose to transfer the virus into your respiratory tract to produce infection. Two rules are obvious: wash your hands often and keep your hands away from your face. “What should I do if I think I have the flu?” It depends on how sick you are. Despite media accounts, the H1N1 influenza has typically produced only mild illness. If illness is severe, or an infected person has othe
