Flu outbreak: Smartphones spread flu virus

Smartphones easily spread the flu virus and owners are cautioned about the use of smartphones during this flu outbreak. Smartphones are ideal flu virus attractants because smartphones get close to a person’s mouth, smartphones are used a lot in public, smartphones are frequently shared, and smartphones are difficult to clean. “Rarely washed, frequently shared and constantly touching your mouth, your iPhone could be spreading the flu virus, public health experts say,” reports 10News on Jan. 11, 2013.

“But that same gadget -- the one that helped you snag last-minute movie tickets and share the adorable video clip of a dancing parakeet -- also happens to harbor many of the qualities conducive to spreading viruses and bacteria.”

For millions of Americans and global citizens, iPhones, Android phones, and other smartphones have become one of the most used devices in their daily life. Wherever you go, your smartphone goes. And whatever you see on your smartphone, you all too often want to share.

By sharing smartphones, one easily shares and spreads the flu virus.

“The real threat from a phone -- as with any other surface -- is when others come into contact with it, thus providing the opportunity for germs to jump between people.”

In addition to the frequent sharing and use of a smartphone in the public, smartphones easily spread the flu virus because the kind of detergents that would be strong enough to kill a flu virus would be too strong to clean a smartphone.

According to 10News, Apple and Samsung advise smartphone users to clean their smartphones with a “soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth" or a “soft cloth slightly dampened in a mild-soap-and-water solution."

Unfortunately, a “mild soap-and-water solution” does not kill a flu virus and using any stronger cleaning solution, detergent, or other chemical might damage a smartphone.

When contacting the smartphone manufacturers, 10News reports that, “Neither Apple nor Samsung returned requests for comment.”

Without any advice from smartphone manufacturers, the following tips might prevent smartphone users from getting or spreading the flu virus:

Don’t share your smartphone with anyone.

Don’t use someone else’s smartphone.

If you do need to use someone else’s smartphone, ask the person to do the smartphone touching for you and talk over the speakerphone.

Wrap or cover your touch screen with a plastic film that can be easily replaced, wiped, or washed.

Be aware that if you shake someone’s hand, you might be transferring the virus onto your smartphone and from your smartphone to your mouth and nose.

Be aware that “Your chances of picking up the virus are greatest in the first 15 minutes after it’s been placed there, and diminish greatly after a few hours.” Washing your hands before touching your own smartphone again will protect you and your smartphone.

Be aware that children do not always follow instructions. If your child is told not to touch your smartphone without washing his or her hands, don’t count on it.

Be aware that viruses are invisible. Just because your smartphone looks clean does not mean it is clean.

“So even though your phone looks spotless, it may be teeming with pathogens, according to Professor Chuck Gerba, a microbiology professor at the University of Arizona who studies the spread of germs and viruses in homes, workplaces and public settings. … He’s researched cellphones and found that they host disease agents ranging from the flu virus to Norovirus and the dangerous MRSA germ. Out breaks of Norovirus, a highly contagious germ that afflicts cruise ship patrons and school students, has also been plentiful across the country recently.”

While there is a lack of research studies in regard to the spreading of the flu virus via smartphones, there have been numerous studies about the spreading of the flu virus and bacteria via computer keyboards. Some of those research studies show that bathrooms in public places are cleaner than keyboards.

The flu virus is easily spread in schools and work places because students or employees share keyboards, phones, chairs, desk tops, or doorknobs. Car knobs that are touched by several people, especially children, are also great flu virus attractants. One of the fastest and easiest ways to pick up the flu virus is by touching the handle of a shopping cart.

Knowing that not only keyboards, doorknobs, or shopping carts can easily spread the flu virus but also smartphones might help some people to be able to avoid this season’s fierce flu outbreak.

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