Originally Published by Health.com
Cold and flu season may leave you wary about touching bus and subway poles, doorknobs, and even shaking a stranger’s hand. Flu germs typically live on surfaces for 24 to 48 hours, while cold viruses last several hours. Some evidence suggests that the flu virus may live on fabric for about eight hours.
Adults have an average of two to three colds per year, and children get even more.4 You can get a cold or the flu any time of year, but they are more common during the colder months.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How Long Do Cold and Flu Germs Live on Surfaces?
Flu viruses can survive on hard surfaces and infect another person for 24 to 48 hours.1 Cold viruses don’t survive as long. Some evidence suggests they can survive and be passed on for several hours.
Factors that can affect how long cold and flu germs last on surfaces include:
- Environment: Research has shown that high humidity and warm temperatures can decrease how long cold and flu viruses last on surfaces.
- Structure of viruses: Cold and flu viruses have a lipid (fat) covering that protects them from certain conditions
- Type of surface: There are certain hotspots for germs. Viruses generally live longer on non-porous surfaces compared to porous surfaces.8 Non-porous surfaces are plastic and stainless steel counters, poles, and doorknobs. Porous surfaces include cloth, paper, and tissues.
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