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Doorknobs and TV remotes are germ hotbeds
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-29 15:09 Someone in your house have the sniffles? Watch out for the refrigerator door handle. The TV remote, too.
 In this Jan 31, 2007, file photo, University of Michigan freshman Alicja Sobilo wears a surgical mask at work as part of a study as to whether the use of masks affects the spread of flu or other respiratory illnesses in Ann Arbor, Mich. [Agencies] A new study finds that cold sufferers often leave their germs there, where they can live for two days or longer. Scientists at the University of Virginia, long known for its virology research, tested surfaces in the homes of people with colds and reported the results Tuesday at the nation's premier conference on infectious diseases. Doctors don't know how often people catch colds from touching germy surfaces as opposed to, say, shaking a sick person's hand, said Dr. Birgit Winther, an ear, nose and throat specialist who helped conduct the study. Two years ago, she and other doctors showed that germs survived in hotel rooms a day after guests left, waiting to be picked up by the next person checking in. |
