Germs are everywhere and can settle on any surface. They stay long enough to spread to more people from the air to the ground and your body. What makes them particularly tricky is their ability to hide in plain sight, clinging to high-touch items like door handles or your favorite gadget.
Without consistent cleaning, these surfaces become hotspots for transmission, allowing germs to jump effortlessly from one person to another. While studies show that some germs are good for your health and body, most others are harmful and could be dangerous in the long term. One way to eliminate or prevent germs is by washing your hands and cleaning surfaces. But how long do germs live on surfaces?
This article explores the answer to this question and provides practical strategies, including insights from Georgia Facility Services, to protect yourself from harmful germs.
How Long Do Germs Live on Surfaces?
First, germs are microorganisms or microbes capable of causing disease. There are many types of germs, the major ones being bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, and they're typically found everywhere, including in the air, water, and soil. They can also be found on surfaces and objects you touch.
Research has shown that cold germs can live on surfaces for about a week; however, they're not as effective after the first 24 hours. Cold germs can live on your hands for up to one hour.
Germs containing the influenza (flu) virus can live for up to 24 to 48 hours on hard surfaces, while more recently, the coronavirus can live from a few hours to a few days. As for bacteria, germs like E. coli and salmonella may live for 20 minutes or longer, especially on hard surfaces.
One study found that influenza germs on stainless steel and plastic could remain active for 24 to 48 hours. The same survey found that germs on fabric, tissues, and paper remained active for between 8 and 12 hours. More tough germs like Clostridium difficile (C. diff) can last up to five months on hard surfaces.
Generally, the potency of germs and how infectious they are depends on the number of pathogens present, the route of exposure, and the strength of a person's immune system.
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Tips to Stay Safe
Wash Your Hands Consistently
Germs can spread at a ridiculous rate, appearing on surfaces we least expect. Besides, our hands always touch things and surfaces, including door handles, mobile devices, toilet accessories, and others. Ensure you wash your hands with soap and clean water or use an alcohol-based hand gel to help kill harmful bacteria. Make sure to wash for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom or before eating. The more consistently you do this, the less chance germs have to spread from your hands to other areas of your body.
Don't Share Personal Items
Personal items could contain germs, and when shared, germs spread faster. Some commonly shared items, such as toothbrushes, towels, or utensils, come in contact with saliva and other body fluids, increasing the likelihood of transferring harmful microbes.
Sharing such items creates a direct pathway for infections to spread between individuals. To minimize this risk, establish personal hygiene habits and communicate the importance of boundaries regarding personal items with those around you.
To stay safe from harmful germs, keep your items for your use only and avoid sharing them with other people.
Avoid Frequent Contact with Dust and Dirt
Germs also enter the soil, which is carried by dust and other dirt particles. Once you breathe them in or touch parts of your body like your nose or mouth with them, you could get infected or transfer them to others. If you've come in contact with dirt and dusty surfaces, wash your hands properly to eliminate any contaminants. Additionally, wearing gloves when handling outdoor tasks such as gardening can help keep germs away from your skin. Limit time spent gardening and doing other outdoor activities if possible, as prolonged exposure increases the risk of contamination. If your job involves the soil, apply good hygiene measures to avoid germs, including frequent handwashing and using disinfectants as needed.
Keep a Safe Distance From Others
Some people may have the flu and similar infections, especially during peak cold and flu season. These infections are often contagious before symptoms even appear, which means you can be exposed to germs unknowingly. When you notice this, keep a safe distance of about six feet because when they sneeze or cough, germs can spread to you through droplets released in the air.
You can further reduce the risk by wearing a mask if you're in a crowded or enclosed space. Shaking hands, hugging, sharing hotel rooms, and being social in other places can also spread germs. Keep your distance to stay safe and protect yourself from airborne viruses that can easily be transferred from one person to another.
Frequently Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces
Use hospital-grade chemicals and alcohol-based liquids to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace. Disinfectants kill germs and prevent them from spreading, especially in environments where multiple people interact. It's important to clean frequently touched surfaces, like light switches, doorknobs, and counters, regularly to reduce germ buildup. Professional disinfection services help break the chain of transmission, minimizing the accumulation of microorganisms on frequently touched surfaces.
Further, disinfectants help break the chain of transmission, minimizing the accumulation of microorganisms on frequently touched surfaces. This reduces the risk of contamination and subsequent infection, which is crucial in maintaining a healthier living or working environment.
Conclusion
Most germs can settle on a surface for about 24 to 48 hours, staying long enough to be picked up by unsuspecting individuals. However, some germs lose potency in minutes or hours, making them redundant. Still, it's good to stay clear of them by practicing good hygiene. Regularly disinfecting surfaces and keeping your personal items to yourself helps keep harmful germs at bay.
Wash your hands consistently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based gel to kill the germs. Also, clean surfaces with quality disinfectants and avoid sharing personal items with others. By staying diligent in these efforts, you can greatly reduce your risk of infection and keep yourself and others safe.