How Long Do Viruses Live on Surfaces?Insights and Prevnetion

Do you know that viruses remain alive on surfaces for a few hours and can infect the other person? But, if we actually want to consider the duration of lives of viruses, there are a lot of factors to keep in mind.

If we consider a surface we have to check its warmth, moisture content, surroundings, and the type of contamination to check its viability. Although they can not survive long if we use microscopic studies or biological reactions like the polymerase chain reaction then we can find some ruminants of the virus, however, they are not infectious by then.

I’ll Tell You First About the Flu Viruses

I studied several research reports on flu viruses. To my surprise, a study shows that the influenza virus can remain infectious for up to 48 hours on wooden surfaces, 24 hours on steel and plastic surfaces, and 8 hours on cloth surfaces.

You also need to know the difference between infectious and non – infectious viruses. As they do not have their own replication machinery and can not spread the infection without multiplication. They utilize the host cell’s machinery for replication, so they have to infect cells for the same.

Once they are ejected from the living organism’s body they can not function on their own, they disintegrate completely because biologically a virus is just a unit of genetic material in a protein coat. So once degraded, it can not cause or spread infection as it can not attach to living cells.

• Cold and other related viruses however can remain infectious for over a couple of days too. But it completely depends upon where they are located or where the droplets have fallen.
• Hard materials like stainless steel and plastic have a longer active life for the virus as compared to soft materials like fabrics.
• Another factor that is important is the extent of infection from the virus that is present on a surface, the temperature and the humid conditions of the surrounding space also affect the same.

How Do We Catch a Cold by Some Virus on Surfaces?

We can not rule out the possibility of catching a cold by touching objects infected by viruses. If an infected person has sneezed or coughed some moments ago and the droplets have reached the surface in contact they are infectious. Similarly, shaking hands or coming in close contact such that you might end up breathing in droplets from the cough or sneeze also causes the virus to spread.

To reduce the spread of viruses in the way and prevent getting infected we can do the following –

• Frequently wash hands with soap, if water is a problem use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Get vaccinated every year for Flu viruses and other such diseases like Covid-19.
• Do not touch your nose, mouth, and eyes very often, especially when out, and avoid coming in close contact with infected people.
• Surfaces that are points of common contact like doorknobs and switchboards should be cleaned often and properly disinfected.
• Use a mask when you are spreading out during the flu season or the pollen season, you can do that even for large crowds or similar gatherings.

The Icy Whiz team talked to Monika Wassermann, a Medical Doctor at It’s Me & You Clinics, about the spread of viruses on surfaces and controls to minimize the risk of infection. Here is what she said:

• Understanding Virus Longevity on Surfaces: Viruses can survive on various surfaces for different lengths of time, depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, and the type of surface. For example, colder temperatures and non-porous surfaces tend to prolong virus viability, while warmer temperatures and porous surfaces can lead to quicker virus degradation. Understanding these factors is key to developing effective strategies for virus prevention.
• Balancing Disinfection Practices: Disinfectants play a crucial role in killing viruses on surfaces, but it’s essential to strike a balance between effective disinfection and minimizing environmental impact. Always opt for disinfectants that are EPA-approved and specifically formulated to target viruses while being mindful of using them sparingly to reduce chemical exposure and environmental harm. Focus on high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and countertops, and prioritize regular cleaning and disinfection in shared spaces.
• Promoting Personal Hygiene: Personal hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, wearing masks in crowded or enclosed spaces, and avoiding touching your face, are fundamental in preventing the spread of viruses. It is important to encourage individuals to practice good respiratory etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow to reduce the dissemination of respiratory droplets containing viruses.
• Implementing Environmental Control: Environmental controls, such as improving ventilation in indoor spaces, maintaining optimal humidity levels, and implementing physical barriers like plexiglass dividers, can help mitigate virus spread. Adequate ventilation reduces the concentration of airborne viruses while maintaining optimal humidity levels can impact virus viability on surfaces. Physical barriers provide an additional layer of protection, particularly in settings where social distancing may be challenging.
• Considering Environmental Impact and Public Health: When implementing virus prevention strategies, it’s crucial to consider both environmental impact and public health outcomes. Strive for a holistic approach that prioritizes human health while minimizing environmental harm. Look for eco-friendly disinfectant options, reduce single-use plastics, and explore sustainable alternatives whenever possible to create a healthier environment for both people and the planet.

By effectively balancing the use of disinfectants, personal hygiene practices, and environmental controls, individuals and organizations can minimize the risk of virus transmission while promoting both public health and environmental sustainability.

Remember, each of us plays a vital role in creating safer and healthier communities, so let’s work together to combat viruses and protect our well-being.”

We Can Destroy Viruses from Nonporous Surfaces

As I told you above, we can get infected by coming in contact with viral-loaded surfaces. I must tell you some methods to kill viruses on nonporous surfaces.

Using hydrogen peroxide can kill various viruses. For this, I suggest you spray the infected surface and let it stay for about a minute or so before wiping off the chemical. Rubbing alcohol or even hand sanitizer can also kill all types of viruses but they need to be strong, having around 70% isopropyl concentration.

Just like Hydrogen peroxide, spray it on the infected surface and then wipe it off after about 30-40 seconds.

If we consider more homely remedies like vinegar, we need to know that it is too mild to act on any kind of virus. However, undiluted white vinegar can be used to kill some types. Heat can also affect the lives of viruses, but this depends upon water temperature, the virus’s resistance to heat, and other factors.

We interviewed Zev Schulhof, DMD, MD, Iconic Implants on this. Here is what he had to say:

“The most important first step in controlling the potential spread of viruses is understanding their longevity.

In some cases, people tend to disinfect more aggressively than needed due to misconceptions about how long it’s possible to contract a viral infection from hard surfaces, while others don’t disinfect thoroughly enough.

Unfortunately, the amount of time a virus can live on a hard surface varies widely. Flu viruses, for example, can survive on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, while the highly contagious norovirus can live for days or even weeks.”

However, Virus Can’t Live for Long, I’ll tell You Why

The short life span of the viruses can be attributed to their structure, environmental conditions, and immune response against them.

The enveloped structure of viruses like Influenza usually gets neutralized within 48 hours meaning they are self-destructive. The non-enveloped viruses on the other hand like Norovirus can live up to weeks.

The protein on the viruses is not very resistant in nature and can be disrupted by pH changes, temperature, salt, and UV radiation from the sun. Moisture is the most essential factor, as viruses are known to survive in damp and moist climates mostly. So when exposed to dry regions they lose stability and break down easily.

If the mucus secretion around the virus is enough for it to get blocked, it also implies that now its movement becomes difficult due to increased weight thus preventing further spread.

It is almost amusing to know that one of the best surfaces for reducing the rate of thriving viruses is our skin. It can be safely assumed that they do not last on our skin for more than 20 minutes. This is because our hands are very antimicrobial, with the pH and the porous nature. They play a very good role in pushing off the viruses from us.

Emily Gaddam, MHDS RN CIC at Infection Control Advice, talked about effective measures to minimize the risk of infection. Here is what she had to say:

To effectively minimize the risk of infection while considering environmental impact and public health, it’s important to balance the use of disinfectants, personal hygiene, and environmental controls. Here are some key points to consider:

• Use Disinfectants Wisely: Choose EPA-registered disinfectants suitable for the specific setting and surface. Apply them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, focusing on high-touch areas. Dispose of disinfectants following local and federal regulations to avoid environmental contamination. 
• Personal Hygiene: The FDA advises against using antibacterial soaps, as they offer no added health benefits and may contribute to antibiotic resistance.
• Public Health Education: Inform the community about proper hygiene and disinfection practices. Stay updated with health authorities’ recommendations and ensure clear communication, especially for workers from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
• Sustainable practices: Considering the environmental impact is a crucial part of the decision-making process when implementing infection prevention measures. Incorporate sustainability into the selection of products and practices. This includes choosing disinfectants with a lower environmental footprint and using reusable items where safe and feasible.”

I Suggest You Stay Protected

As all of us are not germaphobes. But, when the season is infectious, we feel like everyone has a cold or some kind of infection or allergy. So, we need to protect ourselves from being another one in the queue.

This happens every year, indeed 2-3 times, which is why it is estimated that every adult catches a cold 2-3 times a year and children even more. To stay protected, you can use masks while going out or always wash or sanitize your hands regularly.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on May 7, 2024 by Pragya