2007-01-30 05:06:57 · 12 answers · asked by RFN 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
The length of time that cold and flu viruses can survive outside the body on an environmental surface varies greatly. But the suspected range is from a few seconds up to 48 hours, depending on the specific virus and the type of surface.
Flu viruses tend to live longer on surfaces than cold viruses. Also, it is generally believed that cold and flu viruses survive for longer periods on nonporous surfaces — such as plastic, metal or wood — than they do on porous surfaces — such as fabric or paper.
2007-01-30 05:11:41 · answer #1 · answered by Night Wind 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there!
A cold and/or flu can last from 3 days up to 14, to If you have a cold, I reccomend olbas oil to make sure your not stuck with a 14 day old cold ;)
On the other hand, virus's need a place to duplicate over and over again, A virus needs a living source so if the source isn't living it would probably live for 2 hrs.
Hope this helps!
2007-01-30 05:12:52 · answer #2 · answered by Mystery~ 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Viruses are not alive, and the RNA can stay cohesive for thousands of years in some cases, or be broken by a few seconds of exposure to sunlight, UV radiation, heat, cold, or oxygen in others. It depends on the virus.
2007-01-30 05:10:56 · answer #3 · answered by crossbones668 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It can live on objects for days! Public phones are not a good idea, open the washroom door with a paper towel, wash your hands before you eat :)
2007-01-30 05:10:18 · answer #4 · answered by Uzlu2919 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the virus cannot live without a carrier. so i suppose depending on the type up to a day or two.
2007-01-30 05:10:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I always thought it was a few minutes. But, I heard recently that they can live for days!!!
2007-01-30 05:15:18 · answer #6 · answered by zsmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on the virus since many cause colds.
2007-01-30 05:09:49 · answer #7 · answered by Alex 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Doornobs, shopping carts, paper, clothes and other items as steering wheels.
Thanks,
Carol
2015-01-31 05:43:52 · answer #8 · answered by Carol 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2hrs
2007-01-30 05:10:05 · answer #9 · answered by brat `93 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just longer than you think!!!!
2015-11-06 00:17:25 · answer #10 · answered by Louise Sulack 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋