How long can viruses live on surfaces?

Question

Especially the viruses that cause the stomach flu like noroviruses and rotaviruses.

Answer 1

I'm afraid no matter what anyone tells you, there is no definitive answer. It really does depend on the virus and the conditions it finds itself in. They can survive anything from minutes to days. Nawalk virus which is a "stomach flu" virus, can survive for up to a week or even longer on the floor, or on a wall.

Answer 2

This depends largely on the type of surface. A virus can live for a considerable amount of time on a warm, damp, pourous surface, such as a kitchen sponge. It will die quicker on dry surfaces.