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Flu germs on materials?


teamturner
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So this may seem a bit germophobic, but what precautions, if any, would you take if you were using materials that were touched by someone who has the flu? I'm talking about a DVD and a 3-D puzzle. My kids' co-op science teacher needs us to watch a video that we missed in class last week and also do a 3-D puzzle. Then we are to pass the materials on to the next family. We had to miss last week because my DH has the flu. The rest of us have managed to avoid the flu (thank you O-Placebo!) and now I don't want to pick up the germs from handling things that someone with the flu touched. The teacher did the puzzle herself today and is sick with the flu. We could do the puzzle and then wash our hands, right? I've been washing my hands like crazy anyways with my dh sick.

 

What should I do? It's getting below freezing here tonight. If I put them outside overnight would that kill the germs? Spray them with Lysol? That doesn't sound promising since Lysol kills bacteria and the flu is a virus.

 

Any suggestions? Am I being too paranoid?

 

Thanks!

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Lysol actually does kill viruses, too. Spray down the DVD and puzzle with Lysol, or wipe them with Lysol wipes, but still wash your hands after using them.

 

The flu virus is killed by high heat, but I wouldn't count on the cold necessarily taking care of it.

 

You're not being too paranoid. The flu is no fun.

 

Good luck!

 

Edited to add: For some reason, I didn't think about the possibility of a 3D puzzle being cardboard, but I guess that makes sense! I agree with other posters--if it's cardboard, don't get it wet. I just wouldn't use it if you can't disinfect it.

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http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/preventing.htm

 

from the cdc: Studies have shown that human influenza viruses generally can survive on surfaces between 2 and 8 hours.

 

and also from the cdc:

 

What kills influenza viruses?

Influenza viruses can be destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics) and alcohols are effective against influenza viruses if used in proper concentrations for a sufficient length of time. For example, alcohol-based hand rubs can be used in the absence of soap and water for hand washing.

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So this may seem a bit germophobic, but what precautions, if any, would you take if you were using materials that were touched by someone who has the flu? I'm talking about a DVD and a 3-D puzzle. My kids co-op science teacher needs us to watch a video that we missed in class last week and also do a 3-D puzzle. Then we are to pass the materials on to the next family. We had to miss last week because my DH has the flu. The rest of us have managed to avoid the flu (thank you O-Placebo!) and now I don't want to pick up the germs from handling things that someone with the flu touched. The teacher did the puzzle herself today and is sick with the flu. We could do the puzzle and then wash our hands, right? I've been washing my hands like crazy anyways with my dh sick.

 

What should I do? It's getting below freezing here tonight. If I put them outside overnight would that kill the germs? Spray them with Lysol? That doesn't sound promising since Lysol kills bacteria and the flu is a virus.

 

Any suggestions? Am I being too paranoid?

 

Thanks!

 

I wipe everything under the sun that comes into my house down with rubbing alcohol. I wipe down the van. I wipe down faucets and door handles regularly.

 

I really do believe it helps.

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Thanks everyone for the replies. It will be well over 8 hours since they were touched by the infected person if we use the materials tomorrow morning. We'll just wash our hands thoroughly afterwards. It's not like we don't have flu germs already in the house. I've been sanitizing everything and washing my hands a ton.

 

I don't want to damage the puzzle pieces by wiping them down with wet wipes or alcohol.

 

Thanks again!

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What kind of a puzzle is it? Plastic, wooden, or what? If it's plastic, I'd have no qualms about spraying it with Lysol before touching it or bringing it in the house.

 

Or like Cat said, just skip the puzzle.

 

Like TM, I often wipe down things that come in the house, wipe or spray doorknobs, lightswitches, etc. I freely admit to being a germaphobe, LOL, but during flu season especially, I don't think that's a bad thing!!

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I didn't look into the bag with all the stuff yet. I've seen 3-D puzzles before and I'm assuming this one has the typical cardboard or whatever puzzles are made out of type paper.

 

I think I might lay out all the pieces and spray it with Lysol, let it dry and then do it.

 

Thanks!

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I might be the odd ball out but since this is not your puzzle you might want to check with the person to see if they are allergic to Lysol. Or just not spray it.

 

I agree.

 

The smell of Lysol can be difficult to get out of things like cardboard.

 

I wouldn't spray it, either. Besides, if the pieces get wet, they might lose their shape a bit and then the puzzle wouldn't fit together properly any more.

 

I think if my kids were disappointed at not being able to do the puzzle, I would just buy them one of their own and not use this one at all if you're concerned about the germs.

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Thanks everyone for the replies. It will be well over 8 hours since they were touched by the infected person if we use the materials tomorrow morning. We'll just wash our hands thoroughly afterwards. It's not like we don't have flu germs already in the house. I've been sanitizing everything and washing my hands a ton.

 

 

That is probably what I would do. Flu germs don't survive forever, but I'd wash hands just in case.

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