{"id":1379,"date":"2020-05-15T10:41:21","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T10:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4inlanyards.com\/blog\/?p=1379"},"modified":"2026-03-10T09:10:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T09:10:06","slug":"how-long-bacteria-and-viruses-live-outside-the-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4inlanyards.com\/blog\/how-long-bacteria-and-viruses-live-outside-the-body\/","title":{"rendered":"How long do bacteria and viruses live outside the body?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.19.10″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.19.10″]\r\n\r\nDue to the alarming fast spread of Covid-19 all over the world, most of us begin to think and discuss: How long bacteria and viruses live outside the body.<\/strong> Don\u2019t we?\r\n\r\nWell. Covid-19 is a mixture of few strains<\/a> of different Coronaviruses. We are living in a time of uncertainty. Research is still being on Covid-19<\/a> and a permanent treatment is yet to find.\r\n\r\nBut, now is the time for us to ponder more on these bacteria and viruses. Because a known enemy is better than an unknown one, isn\u2019t it?\r\n

How long bacteria and viruses live outside the body?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThese fellows survival and duration depend on many factors; the temperature of the environment, the surface, etc. Let\u2019s find out more\u2026\r\n\r\nWhen we speak of bacteria<\/a>, there are bad ones as well as good ones. Most beneficent bacteria we find are in our guts. We call them gut bacteria<\/a>. These bacteria help us stay healthy. So, we don\u2019t need to worry about them.\r\n\r\n\"How<\/a>\r\n

Good bacteria improve our brains and make us think better<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nOur brains will not function well without the help of god bacteria in our guts. Good bacteria produce Neurotransmitters<\/a> and other chemicals. This, in turn, will improve our brain and brain power.\r\n\r\nNot bad eh! So, we can say without fear our real brain is in our guts, LoL.\r\n\r\nMany think that all viruses are bad. But, you know, a recent piece of information<\/a> indicates that Scientists have begun to find viruses that are good for human life. So, let\u2019s have some compassion for viruses. But, not the Coronavirus<\/a> anyway!\r\n\r\n\"Good<\/a>\r\n\r\nFollowing is a table that shows some infections caused by bacteria and virus:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Caused by Bacteria<\/td>\r\nCaused by Virus<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Tonsilities<\/td>\r\nCOVID – 19<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Urinary Tract Infections<\/td>\r\nRabies<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Pneumonia<\/td>\r\nEbola<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Tuberculosis<\/td>\r\nZika<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
E. Coli<\/td>\r\nHIV<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Septicaemia (Blood poisoning)<\/a><\/td>\r\nFlu<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Listeria<\/a><\/td>\r\nMeasles<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
MRSA<\/a><\/td>\r\nPolio<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Strep Throat<\/td>\r\nCold<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n

Let\u2019s find out how long bacteria and viruses live outside the body.<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

1. Cold:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nColds are a bad result of many different types of viruses<\/a>. Scientists say these viruses can survive on indoor surfaces for more than 7 days. But most of these fellows won\u2019t last more than a few hours in the sunlight.\r\n\r\nViruses can survive longer on water- resistant surfaces like stainless steel<\/a>, plastics, fiberglass etc. But, on porous surfaces such as fabrics<\/a>, tissues, their life span is shorter. These viruses lose their full potential to cause harm after 24 hours. Yet, they may live for about 7 days.\r\n\r\nMost cold viruses will survive only for a short time on our hands. Some may last a few minutes. But, 40% of rhinoviruses<\/a> may survive on our hands for up to one hour. This rhinovirus<\/a> is the main culprit for cold.\r\n\r\n\"Girl<\/a>\r\n

2. Flu<\/strong>:<\/h3>\r\nFlu viruses<\/a> can easily transfer to our hands. These fellows can survive on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours. But, on tissues and handkerchiefs, these flu viruses can stay only for 15 minutes.\r\n\r\nLike cold virus, this flu virus can stay on our hands for a much shorter period. Their ability to cause harm will diminish after five minutes.\r\n\r\nBut, keep this in mind<\/strong>: <\/em>Flu viruses can live longer as droplets in the air for several hours. And low temperatures are very good for their survival in the air.\r\n\r\nDo you know what the Parainfluenza<\/a> virus is? These viruses cause croup<\/a> in children. But the danger is that this virus can last up to 10 hours on hard surfaces. And about four hours on soft surfaces.\r\n\r\n