Scientists have found that money bills are one of the most persistent carriers of influenza virus – for them it can be stored for 5 days.
Data on how long the flu virus can remain on the banknotes were received during the research laboratory of Virology, Geneva University Hospitals. According to his results, which were announced at the Congress of Toronto and then published in the press, people should be cautious in dealing with bills, especially during epidemics of influenza, because they may be carriers of the virus, which "holds" on them for 120 hours after contact with the source of infection.
To measure the duration of the virus on banknotes, and the duration of its survival, the researchers placed a few fragments of notes influenza viruses from laboratory stocks with different concentrations – H3N2, etc. H1N1i than H5N1, known as the causative agent of avian flu. The notes were placed in the same environment: they are kept at a constant temperature of 22 degrees and the same humidity, and then, after some time after exposure, they were put in culture to test for the virus.
It was found that the higher the concentration of the virus, the more time he can remain on the banknote: the H1N1 virus dilute stayed on the bill for only 2 hours, and the H3N2 virus and other types with a high concentration could be maintained on it for 1 3 days. On the duration of the influenza virus has a great influence mucus – a fact the scientists also recorded in the course of the experiment, when one dose of the bacteria are mixed with mucus, and others not. In the presence of mucus virus A, or H3N2, is able to hold out on paper for 5 days after falling at her, but without the slime disappears already after 2 hours.
However, laboratory parameters, researchers are not limited to: in order to verify the results already attained, they decided to hold the same experience, but in the natural environment.Scientists collected samples of nasal secretions in 14 influenza-infected people and put them on the banknotes. In half the cases the virus could survive for at least daily, and in five cases, he survived for another two days after infection. Taking into account these facts, should be extremely cautious with banknotes and coins during a special spread of influenza, and once again try not to take them in hand.
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