The Age of the Superbug

It’s flu and cold season again. Even if it weren’t cold out, you’d probably be able to tell by the quick draw of parents whipping out sanitizing gel bottles and wipes for their little ones’ hands. Living in the age of the Superbug and predictions of flu outbreaks has encouraged parents to be more prudent. But how much exposure to germs is really harmful? And does the old idiom: ‘what won’t kill ‘em makes ‘em stronger’ hold any merit?

According to Philip M. Tierno, Jr., Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Medical Center Tisch Hospital, that idiom does more harm than good.

“That’s a false argument. There is no way that using a sanitizing agent like a gel or a wipe will interfere with the immunity development of a child,” says Tierno. “It’s a stupid concept and will result in your child suffering needless illness.”

The author of several books including The Secret Life of Germs explained that children are already exposed to germs on a daily basis, boasting their immunity. And, more importantly, 80 percent of all infectious disease stems from direct and indirect contact with germs. Coughing or sneezing creates direct contact with germs. Indirect contact comes from touching something that has germs on it—such as a door handle, a toy, or a keyboard. After touching something contaminated, if you then put your fingers in your mouth or touch your eyes, infection can spread.

“Where other people touch, it is expected for them to leave germs behind,” Tierno explained. If these surfaces aren’t cleaned, germs can surprisingly survive on them for quite a while.

A University of Virginia study testing the lifespan of rhinoviruses found that they can live on surfaces such as light switches and telephones up to four days. Last fall researchers had fifteen people with lab-confirmed rhinovirus colds spend the night in individual hotel rooms and after they checked out, tested ten items they had touched. The results? One-third of the objects were contaminated with rhinovirus, even after the maid service came in. While the toilets and toilet handles were clean of the virus, many light switches, telephones, pens, and TV remotes still had the virus on them.