Hello clkoberg-ga,
The viruses that cause the common cold and the flu (influenza) are
spread primarily by airborne droplets, physical contact with an
infected person, and by contact with an object that an infected person
has handled. Most references point to non-porous (hard) surfaces or
objects with non-porous surfaces as the most likely sources for the
spread of the viruses, as opposed to porous objects such as clothing
or bed sheets.
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Government of Alberta, Health & Wellness
Influenza virus (FLU), Common questions
http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/healthier/diseases/Flu/questions.html
?How is the influenza virus spread?
The influenza virus is highly contagious, spreading rapidly from
person to person usually by air-born droplets carried in a cough or a
sneeze.
The virus can also survive up to 48 hours on nonporous surfaces like a
telephone, computer keyboard, doorknob, kitchen countertop or toys.
You may not know you have contacted the influenza virus. It may be a
day to several days before symptoms appear, and in that time you can
infect others. That is why frequent hand washing is so important, in
addition to vaccination.?
Ryerson University Health Services
http://www.ryerson.ca/healthservices/html_docs/healthpromotion/flu_cold.htm
?How do I catch the Flu?
The influenza virus is spread by airborne transmission. When a person
with the flu sneezes, coughs, or speaks they release tiny droplets
from their nose and mouth. These droplets are filled with the flu
virus. They can live long enough in the air to allow other people to
inhale them. The virus invades the persons cells and begins to
reproduce rapidly. Not all of these people will become sick. Only if
the conditions are right, for example if they are stressed, tired, or
their immune system is not working properly will they become ill with
the flu.
The Lung Association (1999)
How do I catch a Cold?
The cold is spread by direct contact and usually by airborne droplets.
There are about 200 different cold viruses. The most common is the
rhino virus (rhino=nose). This virus is most often spread by hand
contact e.g., shaking hands or picking up a telephone that was used by
an infected person. When you touch your eyes, nose or mouth, the virus
can entre your body and multiply. It is often believed that it is more
difficult to spread a cold because frequent hand washing can kill the
virus whereas with the flu, the virus can enter directly through the
nose or mouth, making transmission easier. Colds are more likely to
occur with people who are stressed, who smoke, and/or spend large
amounts of time indoors (this is why it is thought that colds are more
common in the fall and winter months).
R.. Hewley, (1998).?
?Colds, flu, and you: should you stay home and treat yourself, or see
a doctor; knowing the difference between a cold, pneumonia, and flu
can save you from an extended illness. (includes IQ test for
determining cold symptoms and remedies)?
Saturday Evening Post, Nov-Dec, 1998
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1189/n6_v270/21279893/p2/article.jhtml?term=
?Rhinoviruses can live for hours on hands. They also survive on
inanimate hard surfaces, such as Formica, wood, and plastic.?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm
?How the Influenza Virus Is Passed Around
The flu is spread, or transmitted, when a person who has the flu
coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends flu virus into the air, and other
people inhale the virus. The virus enters the nose, throat, or lungs
of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of influenza.
Influenza may, less often, be spread when a person touches a surface
that has flu viruses on it ? a door handle, for instance ? and then
touches his or her nose or mouth.?
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However, I did also find several references that mention cloth objects
such as clothing, towels, and bed sheets as sources of transmission of
the cold and flu viruses.
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Travelvacs.com (Click on ?What Is It? Cause/Symptoms)
http://www.travelvacs.com/EN/Before_Leaving/Fact_Sheets5.cfm#
?Health Tip
Influenza virus can survive on unwashed hands for five minutes; on
clothing and tissues (e.g. Kleenex) for eight to 10 hours; and hard
surfaces (e.g. table tops, telephones) for up to two days. So remember
to wash your hands frequently during the flu season at home and during
travel.?
Worldwidevaccines.com
http://www.worldwidevaccines.com/influenza/virus.asp#transmission
?Influenza is highly infectious and easily transmitted. Coughing or
sneezing creates an aerosol containing infectious particles which can
transmit the disease from an ill to a susceptible person. Spread
through direct contact with contaminated articles - handkerchiefs, bed
sheets and clothing - is also possible.?
Mayoclinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=7857D5F5-3E9F-4289-918B67FA9D0E63E2&dsection=3
?Although more than 200 viruses can cause colds, the rhinovirus is the
most common, known culprit. The cause of up to 50 percent of colds is
unknown.
A cold virus enters your body through your mouth or nose, but it's
likely you also had a "hand" in your own illness. Although colds can
be spread through sneezing and coughing, they're often spread by
hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by using shared
objects such as utensils, towels or telephones. Touch your eyes or
nose after such contact or exposure, and you're likely to acquire a
cold.
American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/diseases/c&f03/cold.html
?What Can You Do to Prevent a Cold?
Colds are extremely difficult to prevent entirely. The following
suggestions may help:
Avoid close contact with people who have a cold, especially during
the first few days when they are most likely to spread the infection.
Wash your hands after touching someone who has a cold, after touching
an object they have touched, and after blowing your own nose. If your
child has a cold, wash his or her toys after play.
Keep your fingers away from your nose and your eyes to avoid
infecting yourself with cold virus particles that you may have picked
up.
Put up a second hand towel in the bathroom for healthy people to use.
Keep an eye on the humidity of your environment so that your sinuses
do not dry out.
Do not inflict your cold on others! Cover your nose and mouth with a
tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away and wash
your hands. Also, stay away from people who are most vulnerable,
including anyone who has asthma or another chronic lung disease, or at
least try to limit close contact.
Until recently, it was thought that a single vaccine could not be
developed for the different cold viruses. New research approaches may
enable the development of a single vaccine for most types of colds.?
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Other references:
?New Study Shows Cold and Flu Germs Spread Easily Throughout the
Office; Illness-Causing Viruses Can Live on Staplers and Other Office
Items for Days And Can Transfer to Multiple Surfaces.
PR Newswire, Nov 13, 2002?
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m4PRN/2002_Nov_13/94193276/p1/article.jhtml?term=
DON'T PASS THE GERMS!(preventing spread of cold and flu germs)(Brief Article)
Essence, Dec, 1999, by Donnette Dunbar
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1264/8_30/58361053/p1/article.jhtml
?Disinfect household "hot spots." Did you know that viruses can linger
for three to four hours on surfaces like kitchen faucets and bathroom
countertops? To kill the critters, Granderson recommends using
disinfectant cleaners that contain alcohol.?
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Apparently, washing clothes, bed sheets, and towels that have been
used by an infected person may help in preventing others from becoming
ill. However, it appears that the best things that you can do to
prevent getting sick to are wash your hands often, disinfect commonly
used surfaces, and most references recommend a getting flu vaccine.
I hope you have found this information helpful. If you have any
questions, please request clarification prior to rating the answer.
Googlenut
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