Rhinovirus: You Cannot Give a Cold Shoulder to Hotel Freebies!

While you luxuriate in the comfort of your hotel stay, there is something right under your very nose, capable of getting under your skin! Scientists have warned that people with runny nose or cold can spread the virus so easily, because everything they touch absorbs the Oh, so friendly virus!

University of Virginia researchers say that infected people can spread the virus to an estimated 35% of all objects they come in contact with. While studying 15 people suffering cold, researchers asked the subjects to spend some time in the hotel and wash their hands only after using the toilets. The finding revealed that the objects which were most susceptible to contamination were door handles, pens, light switches and taps.

In the next stage, the rooms were cleaned and disinfected after which the researchers asked healthy volunteers to occupy the rooms. The researchers found that occupants’ fingers were not germ free in atleast 47% of the cases, though the virus could spark off an infection only if it managed to reach the eyes or the nose.

Owen Hendley, a professor at the university's division of pediatric diseases, said: "Next time you stay in a hotel, knowing rhinovirus may be left from your last guest, you may wonder how meticulous the clean up crew has been."



Source-Medindia
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