| Here is a list of areas/items from which we can | | | | virus was placed on Swiss franc notes. A flu virus |
| become infected. They may all seem just plain | | | | with nasal mucosa was placed on banknotes, the |
| common sense, but we all need reminding just where | | | | results extraordinary..... |
| we can pick up contagious flu and where they may | | | | When cultured by human mucus the flu bugs |
| linger and for how long. A few areas/items may | | | | survived up to 17 days in some cases the study |
| surprise. | | | | suggested that when nasal secretions on hands are |
| There are some obvious ones like, door handles, loo | | | | transmitted to bank notes then contagious flu viruses |
| flush buttons/handles, elevator buttons, and store | | | | have more persistence than previously thought. |
| trolleys. Everywhere we touch in our cars, the | | | | According to Dr.Philip Tierno, director of clinical biology |
| steering wheel in particular. It seems there are more | | | | and immunology in New York and author of "The |
| bugs and viruses hatching on your steering wheel | | | | Secret life of Germs" indicated that three events |
| than on a toilet seat! Gear selector radio and /DVD | | | | must occur for a contagious flu virus to be passed |
| controls. At home TV/video remotes, shared drinking | | | | from one person to another via cash. First, a person |
| arrangements cups/glasses. Public transport grab rails | | | | who is infected with swine flu must sneeze or cough |
| handles and common area contacts. Wallets/purses | | | | on to a bill or blow their nose and leaving remnants |
| and ladies handbags. Finally ATM machines and the all | | | | of mucosa on the note. Next, an uninfected person |
| important, CASH, notes and coin. | | | | would need to touch the money whilst the virus |
| When you think about it, cash, in particular notes, are | | | | persists to become infected. |
| not only handled by bank cashiers (hopefully, they | | | | It would seem, to be super critical, just don't handle |
| are instructed in a daily routine of hygiene hand care). | | | | cash at all but rely more on credit card transactions. |
| So, handling cash MUST be one of the main areas of | | | | Although plastic can retain a virus but its time of |
| catching contagious flu. In fact its dirty money! | | | | infection is limited to about one hour and of course it |
| Beware of persons handling food, cooks handling | | | | will not be handled as frequently as cash! |
| food and also taking cash and giving change, is a | | | | Dr.Rani Bright, assistant professor of Microbiology and |
| minefield of contagion. | | | | Forensic medicine at Philadelphia Collage of |
| Think about it, countless dollars, pounds, euros, yen, | | | | Osteopathic Medicine says that is a big unknown at |
| Swiss francs are all handled daily by billions of the | | | | present whether contagious flu will continue to |
| population. It's remarkable that the subject of cash | | | | mutate and grow stronger. |
| notes has rarely arisen. It can happen that when a | | | | To be safe and sure, and for extra protection it is |
| person coughs or sneezes on to cash it can become | | | | recommended that you keep a supply of antiseptic |
| infected. | | | | disinfectant wipes handy, both in the car and at |
| A study by Switzerland's Central Laboratory of | | | | home, and only use them to clean small areas at a |
| Virology at the University Hospital in Geneva carried | | | | time, otherwise they too can be a medium to spread |
| out a test to see what would transpire when a flu | | | | contagious flu. |