{"id":9779,"date":"2020-05-28T14:59:01","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T19:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=9779"},"modified":"2025-11-25T10:59:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T16:59:48","slug":"the-truth-about-coronavirus-on-surfaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/the-truth-about-coronavirus-on-surfaces\/","title":{"rendered":"How Viruses Spread and How to Protect Yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether it\u2019s the flu, a cold, COVID-19, RSV or a stomach bug, contagious viruses are a part of life, especially when people spend more time indoors. Understanding how viruses spread can help you avoid getting sick<\/a>\u00a0and keep those around you healthy, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cViruses are tiny infectious particles that rely on people or animals to keep spreading,\u201d Brian Curtis, MD<\/a>, vice president, chief medical officer, OSF Medical Group, said. \u201cThey can move through the air, through touch or on contaminated surfaces.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Protect yourself from common viruses<\/p>\n

Get vaccinated<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

How Viruses Spread<\/h2>\n

Different viruses have different ways of moving from one person to another. Many common illnesses \u2013 including colds, flu, RSV and COVID-19 \u2013 are respiratory viruses, meaning they spread mainly through droplets and aerosols from an infected person\u2019s nose or mouth.<\/p>\n

Each time someone talks, coughs, sneezes or even breathes, they release droplets into the air. When you\u2019re close to someone who\u2019s infected, it\u2019s easier to inhale those droplets and get sick. Some viruses, like influenza, can spread both through droplets and the air. Flu spreads through both droplets, which fall quickly, and smaller airborne particles that can linger a little longer.<\/p>\n

Other viruses, like norovirus \u2013 more commonly known as the stomach flu \u2013 can spread when tiny particles from vomit or stool contaminate food, surfaces or hands. You can get sick by touching your mouth after contact with these germs.<\/p>\n

Why Some Environments Increase Your Risk<\/h2>\n

Certain settings increase your risk of picking up a virus. For example, crowded, poorly ventilated spaces make it easier for virus-carrying germs to linger and spread.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re in a closed area with limited airflow, virus particles can build up in the air,\u201d Dr. Curtis said. \u201cOutdoor gatherings or well-ventilated areas reduce that risk because the air moves and disperses the particles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even simple factors, such as how closely people are gathered, how long they spend together or whether someone has a high viral load \u2013 meaning a lot of virus in their body \u2013 can influence how easily an illness spreads.<\/p>\n

Understanding Germs on Everyday Surfaces<\/h2>\n

While most viruses spread mainly through person-to-person contact, contaminated surfaces \u2013 like light switches, remotes, doorknobs, tabletops and counters \u2013 can also play a role [link to what to clean blog]. If someone sneezes or coughs onto a surface or touches it after wiping their nose, the virus can remain there for a while ready to spread when another person touches that surface.<\/p>\n

How long do germs stay on surfaces?<\/h3>\n

It depends on the type of virus and the surface itself.<\/p>\n