Different viruses can mutate and adapt quickly, making them even trickier to slow or stop. Not all can live or thrive on the same types of surfaces. Different ones like attacking different parts of your body. For example, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) attacks your lungs.
Viruses are always looking for pathways to attach themselves to cells. For example, an infected person coughs or sneezes and lets out droplets of saliva. Those droplets could contain viruses. They may have sprayed onto a countertop, a railing or a can of soda at the store. Those surfaces don’t have cells, and viruses need cells but many viruses can still live on those non-living surfaces for hours to days and they’re always looking for a new cell. So when you walk by a few hours later and touch the same railing or grab that can of soda at the store, the virus will try to jump from the can to your fingers.
You can’t recognize that when it happens. There’s no pinch, pain or electric shock. So a few minutes later, when you try to get an eyelash out of your eye or rub your nose, the virus has the perfect path inside your body, where it can find the types of cells it wants to attach to
During a pandemic, it’s critical to avoid touching your face as much as possible. You could try wearing a mask or you can always lightly wrap a scarf or bandana around your face. The presence of one of these fabrics can prevent you from trying to touch your face, and help you get in the mindset of remembering to keep your hands away. It may not seem like much, but it’s a big way that you alone can help end the pandemic.
Source: Sciencing.com – Rachelle Dragani
By Annmarie Dallao |
