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Can the coronavirus live long on the surface of things? - Coronavirus spreads through saliva splashes. So, how long can the coronavirus survive on the surface of an object?
The results confirmed that the coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets (small splashes of saliva) that float into the air when infected people cough or sneeze.
Droplets can hit people who are near people infected with coronavirus or fall to the surface of objects around them. So, how long will the virus live on the surface of the object? It's hard to be sure.
However, according to one study, the virus can last several hours to nine days at warm temperatures.
Other studies also say, Covid-19 might spread through feces, as does typhus. This means, if someone infected with this virus does not wash their hands with soap after defecating, then his dirty hands will make the virus left in the door handle, elevator button, or the handle on public transportation.
That is why it is crucial for us to always maintain hand hygiene by washing it under running water using soap.
The surface of objects in public places is one of the gathering points for bacteria and germs.
A 2018 study found that disease-causing bacteria from the human intestine and feces can be found on almost all surfaces that are often touched by people in public places. Practically all tissue products that contain disinfectants claim to kill 99.9 percent of germs, and in a perfect world, that is true.
"Covid-19 is a virus that contains fat (lipids), which means it can be easily killed with swabs containing disinfectants," said Dr. Charles Gerba, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Arizona.
However, according to Gerba, we do not live in a perfect world. Most people do not use these swabs properly, so they are not sufficient.
For example, a study shows, even though tissue containing disinfectants can remove bacteria from the surface, but the pathogen survives in tissue. If the tissue is reused, the bacteria will move to a new location. To prevent this, immediately remove the tissue after use.
Besides paying attention to the cleanliness of the surface of the object, the most effective way to avoid exposure to germs is to not touch the face frequently. The average person feels his face 23 times in an hour.
"Do not be lazy to wash hands properly, all surfaces and between fingers must be rubbed with soap. Don't forget to dry it too, because the virus can survive in wet hands, "said Dr. Robert Amler, a former leader at the American CDC.
