Toys in pediatricians’ waiting rooms found to harbor viruses
Remnants of the virus that causes the common cold and the flu were found on 40% of the toys in pediatricians’ waiting rooms, according to a recent study from the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital. And even after cleaning with a disinfectant cloth, 22% of the toys still contained the viruses. What’s more, cleaning the toys yielded only a modest germ-killing effect in this study, and two toys that were not contaminated before cleaning became contaminated afterwards.
In another study, the researchers tested the surfaces in homes where a person with the rhinovirus (common cold) lived, and 41% of the surfaces tested were found to be contaminated with the virus. The most commonly infected home surfaces included door knobs, bathroom faucets, refrigerator door handles, and remote controls.
An hour after volunteers touched the contaminated surfaces, 22% of the samples taken from their fingertips still contained rhinovirus. A day afterwards, the number dropped to 3%, and after two days, no viral remnants were detected at all.
The hands are clearly a major source of the spread of the cold and the flu. Touching a contaminated surface, and then touching your food while eating, or touching one’s eyes, mouth, or nose is a common pathway for viral spread. Wiping down toys and household surfaces appears to do little to stop the spread of the cold and flu. Hand washing or using alcohol gels before eating or touching one’s face remains the best way to prevent exposure to viruses.
“Why the common cold is so common is because it’s on a lot of surfaces,” and the viruses stay alive for up to 24 hours, Dr. Hendley, the main researcher, told MedPage Today.
Read more about What you can do to prevent the flu from Bay Area Medical Information
via MedPage Today, October 28, 2008
Bookmark this page
E-mail this story
Print this post
0 Responses to “Toys in pediatricians’ waiting rooms found to harbor viruses”