Studies have shown that the flu virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for two to eight hours after someone with the virus on their hands touches the surface.
The flu virus is killed by common household cleaners, including bleach-based products, hydrogen peroxide, standard disinfectants and alcohol-based products. The products must be used according to instructions for maximum effectiveness.
Studies have shown that alcohol-based hand cleaners are just as effective as soap and water in killing the influenza virus on hands as long as they are rubbed in until dry. Alcohol-based products are a great way for adults and children to sanitize their hands in a convenient way throughout the work or school day.
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. These germs, appearing as droplets from a cough or sneeze from an infected person, move through the air. They spread when another person touches these droplets on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches his/her own eyes, mouth or nose before washing his/her hands.
To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown immediately into the trash, not tucked into sleeves or set aside until a person can get to a trash can. Additionally, people should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.
To prevent the spread of the flu virus it is important to keep household and work surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters, phones, keyboards, desktops and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household cleaner according to directions on the product label.
Linens, eating utensils and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately. More importantly,however, these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed in hot water with household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals doing the laundry of others who are ill should place the linens into a basket to carry and avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.
Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with hot water and soap.
“Consider vaccinating all members of your family between the ages of 6 months and 49 years against the H1N1 virus. If you or a family member are outside of that age range, contact your primary care physician,” explains Dr. Kalyan.
For more information on H1N1 or seasonal flu, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.