In Japan, scientists have a study published showing that the coronavirus can survive on human skin for up to 9 hours. Washing and disinfecting your hands in the fight against Covid-19 does make sense!
The corona virus survives on people’s skin for up to five times as long as a ‘normal’ flu virus. This is according to a new study published in the scientific journal Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal. Specifically, the SARS-CoV-2 virus survives on human skin for 9 hours, a flu virus barely 1.8 hours.
Importance of hand hygiene
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“The 9-hour survival of SARS-CoV-2 on human skin increases the risk of contact transmission compared to the flu virus, accelerating the pandemic,” conclude the Japanese scientists.
Specifically, the scientists investigated the survival time of the virus on human skin. It was skin that had only just died. Both the coronavirus and the flu virus were completely shut down after 15 seconds after using ethanol. That is the active substance in hand gels. It must then be a hand gel that contains enough ethanol.
The scientists also point out that the risk of the coronavirus spreading is higher if the virus stays on the skin longer. “Hand hygiene can reduce that risk,” they say.
‘Dead’ objects
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The corona virus infects people through small droplets that are released into space when coughing, sneezing or talking. The virus gets into the air, on objects and surfaces through these droplets. People who inhale these drops run the risk of becoming infected with the corona virus.
The coronavirus can remain contagious for up to 28 days on banknotes, glass screens of smartphones and stainless steel, among other things. This was shown by earlier research. The flu virus, on the other hand, dies on these surfaces after just 17 days.
Water, soap and hand gel
This earlier study also shows that the guidelines of the WHO and the Belgian health services are correct. They emphasize that it is extremely important to wash and disinfect your hands regularly and carefully. This is best done with running water, preferably warm or lukewarm, and liquid soap. You should wash your hands thoroughly and dry with paper.
The anti-bacterial handles are useful if you don’t have the option to wash your hands with soap and water. Furthermore, the WHO recommends that people use hand gels with at least 60 percent ethanol and / or isopropanol to combat all viruses and bacteria. In the meantime, almost 40 million people worldwide have already been infected with the corona virus.
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