Coxsackievirus, a common viral infection often recognized for causing hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), poses a public health concern due to its ability to persist on surfaces. Understanding how long this virus remains viable outside the human body is important for implementing effective prevention strategies. This environmental survival impacts the potential for indirect transmission, particularly in shared environments like homes, schools, and daycare centers.
Understanding Coxsackievirus Persistence
Coxsackievirus can remain infectious on various inanimate surfaces for extended periods, from hours to several days, and even multiple weeks. This durability is attributed to its classification as a non-enveloped virus. Unlike enveloped viruses with fragile outer lipid layers, non-enveloped viruses like Coxsackievirus have a robust protein capsid. This provides greater resistance to environmental stressors such as desiccation, temperature fluctuations, and disinfectants. This structural resilience allows the virus to maintain infectivity on common surfaces like doorknobs, toys, and countertops, highlighting a sustained transmission risk if cleaning and disinfection measures are insufficient.
Factors Influencing Virus Durability
The duration Coxsackievirus remains infectious on surfaces is influenced by several environmental factors. The type of surface plays a role, with studies indicating viruses often survive longer on hard, non-porous surfaces like plastic or stainless steel compared to porous materials. Temperature also significantly affects viral persistence; cooler temperatures generally prolong survival, while higher temperatures can lead to more rapid inactivation. Humidity is another factor, with extreme levels, both very low and very high, sometimes reducing viral viability, though Coxsackievirus can remain stable across a range of humidity conditions. The presence of organic matter, such as bodily fluids like mucus or feces, can further protect the virus, extending its survival time on surfaces.
Effective Surface Disinfection
To effectively eliminate Coxsackievirus from surfaces, a two-step process of cleaning then disinfection is required, as cleaning with soap and water physically removes dirt, organic matter, and germs that can hinder disinfectant effectiveness. Then, disinfect surfaces with products effective against non-enveloped viruses, such as household bleach solutions or EPA-registered disinfectants. A common bleach solution for disinfection is 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of 5%-9% household bleach per gallon of room temperature water, or 4 teaspoons per quart. For effective disinfection, surfaces must remain visibly wet for the specific contact time, typically at least one minute, following product instructions. Frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and shared toys, should be cleaned and disinfected regularly, especially during periods of increased illness.
Minimizing Risk of Transmission
Beyond surface disinfection, personal hygiene practices also minimize Coxsackievirus transmission:
Frequent, thorough handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is a primary defense, especially after using the restroom, changing diapers, or before eating.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (at least 60% alcohol) can be used when soap and water are unavailable, though less effective against non-enveloped viruses than handwashing.
Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands to prevent virus entry.
Discourage the sharing of personal items like utensils, cups, and towels to reduce indirect transmission.
Isolate infected individuals and promptly clean contaminated areas to limit virus spread.