How long can a "Cold-Virus-Cell" live while floating around in the breeze?

Question

I haven't been near anyone very close. I can't imagine where I would pick up my little cold...

Maybe on the bus. Only God knows how many germs are living there!

How long can a Cold Virus Cell live outside a "host"?

Answer 1

Depends on the environment. Outdoors or indoors and the temperature. Rhinoviruses prefers dark, warm, moist environments like the nose and mouth but can survive for up to several hours on most surfaces. Unless you're more or less in the direct path of a sneeze or cough, you're not likely to inhale viruses in a great enough number to cause a problem. The viruses disperse quickly.

But as I said, viruses (and bacteria too for that matter) can survive for up to several hours on most surfaces. The next time you go to the market and reach for a shopping cart, remember this. Most pathogens (disease-producing microorganisms) are transmitted by the hands. Use the sanitary wipes (if provided) to clean the handle of the cart. Telephones are another means by which transmission is made. Handrails, doorknobs, elevator buttons. I'm sure you can think of lots of other sources. Frequent handwashing is a key factor to transmission reduction.

Knowing this, I think you can better imagine where you'd pick up your little cold.

Answer 2

Depends on the the outside temperature. If someone 'spits' and they do, then the sun can start evaporation of that spit containing ? and if you walk past and inhale, sorry. I forget how fast airborne particles leave the nose when you sneeze and if they are hanging around on a nice warm day and you walk past, sorry.