How long can the germs from "pink eye" live on surfaces (i.e.. door knobs, toys, books)?

Similar questions: long germs pink eye live surfaces door knobs toys books.

Conjunctivitis Was pretty sure of this one, but checked the Mayo Clinic webpage. There are different causes for what we call 'pink eye' or conjunctivitis. The most common is a bacterial infection."Viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis may affect one or both eyes.

Viral conjunctivitis usually produces a watery or mucous discharge. Bacterial conjunctivitis often produces a thicker, yellow-green discharge and may be associated with a respiratory infection or with a sore throat. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can be associated with colds.

Both viral and bacterial types are very contagious. Adults and children alike can develop both of these types of pink eye. However, bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children than it is in adults.

" Since both are contagious, it is wise to make sure everything touched by the child is cleaned. A big pain, I know, but necessary to keep the infection from spreading. How long is it contagious?

Seven to fourteen days after the first symptoms appear. If you have this in your family, brace yourself for the cleaning.In the meantime, your question about surfaces was asked on a biology forum here: en.allexperts.com/q/Biology-664/2008/1/l... If you don't want to check the link, here is the answer the questioner received: Bacteria can survive very well or very poorly on particular surfaces, depending on the material, the temperature, exposure to sunlight, and a number of other factors. If indeed there were contaminated surfaces that you missed with the disinfectant, that does not mean that others will pick up those bacteria, necessarily.

Let me give you some specifics; these could help you focus on materials that are most likely to become contaminated and remain contaminated for longer periods of time. The Journal of Food Protection found in a 2007 study that Formica and stainless steel became contaminated and transfered bacteria most easily, much more so than wooden or polypropylene surfaces. This suggests that Formica and steel surfaces in your home are the most likely sources of bacterial transfer.

A 2003 study by the same journal gives some idea of the time required for bacteria to die off on a surface: the mean time to cause a significant reduction in bacterial populations varied from about 30 min to 400 min, depending on the surface. Now doesn't seem so bad: within a day, almost certainly, any residual bacteria would have died off. However, commonly used surfaces in your home (doorknobs, faucet handles, hand railings, computer keyboards, etc. ) are rarely left untouched long enough for most of the bacteria on them to die.

Lesser-used surfaces--which are presumably the kind you would have missed with disinfectant spray--would be free of bacterial contamination within a week, and probably within two days. Conjunctivitis can also be caused by viruses, however, and viruses can be more persistent. A 2006 study by the International Journal of Food Microbiology found that particular viruses could be recovered for up to a week on stainless steel, Formica, and ceramic surfaces.

Assuming that contaminated surfaces received neither disinfectant nor exposure to sunlight, most surfaces would probably be free of viral contamination within two weeks. The ultraviolet rays from sunlight cause the genetic material of viruses to fall apart; if it practical where you live at this time of the year, I recommend opening your windows to catch all the sunlight you can. Glass screens out ultraviolet rays, unfortunately, so sunlight filtered through glass windows doesn't work as a disinfectant.

Some disinfectants make claims against viruses and bacteria, so far as I know, while others focus only on the reduction of bacteria. Be forewarned in choosing your disinfectant product. There's the additional element of how often we touch our faces while also touching items in the environment.

The most serious risk for cross-infection probably comes not from bacteria or viruses persisting on surfaces for long periods, but from you unconsciously touching your eye and then touching another (commonly used) surface, which is then touched by someone else before you clean it. Not touching your eyes requires a surprisingly high vigilance; that may be the most important thing you can do at this time. Hope that helps..

Probably not that long. Pink eye needs a warm, moist area & surfaces don't usually provide that. Other bacteria & germs have been proven to last up to 24 hours on a surface like a door knob.

I don't know about pink eye. It takes 24 hours after a person has started medication before they are no longer contagious. Towels, soft toys, books provide a greater risk.

Flesh to flesh contact is the main means of transmission, which is why you should keep your fingers out of your eyes and wash your hands frequently. Sources: Pales .

1 not sure. But I know that flies can carry it and spread the infection onto OTHER surfaces.

Not sure. But I know that flies can carry it and spread the infection onto OTHER surfaces.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.