Experts Say It’s OK To Keep Your Toothbrush After The Cold Or Flu

After a bout with the cold or flu, it’s natural to go on a cleaning binge in an effort to prevent anyone else (or even yourself) from catching the same virus.

During the cleaning rush, do you have to get rid of your germy toothbrush? According to Today.com, the answer is no. It’s impossible to contract the same cold virus. There are more than 200 different strains of the virus in the air at all times.

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Dr. Natalie Azar, an NBC medical contributor, says the body develops antibodies while you experience a particular virus. Therefore, the body is no longer susceptible to that particular virus after exposure the first time.

So the virus may be on your toothbrush, lipstick, sheets, towels and more, but you can’t re-infect yourself.

But ditching your toothbrush after a cold or the flu can reduce the chances of germs spreading to any other nearby toothbrushes.

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Viruses that commonly live on a toothbrush vary from staph, e-coli and yeast, according to Dr. Heather Rosen, medical director of UPMC North Huntington Urgent Care.

“There are so many bacteria that can reside on a toothbrush; therefore, it is always best to get rid of it once you have been infected with some sort of viral or bacterial illnesses,” Rosen says.

Experts recommend switching out your toothbrush every three months, and keeping it at least 3 feet away from the toilet. The toilet can be a breeding ground for airborne droplets released by flushing the toilet.

Also, never share you toothbrush.

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Rosen says sharing a toothbrush can lead to infections like bloodborne disease (Hepatitis B or C) or bacterial infections. The same thing goes for sharing makeup – which can lead to contracting oral herpes, or pink eye.

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Lip balms and mascara are typically safe. They contain anti-microbial ingredients, which reduce the amount of germs breeding within them, Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology and environmental sciences at the University of Arizona, told Today.com.

Make sure to clean countertops, tables, remote controls and other hard surfaces after a case of the cold or flu. Germs can live on these surfaces for up to 24 hours, making them easy to spread to those touching them.

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Here are some tips for cleaning surfaces without contracting any germs:

• Apply a cleaner-disinfectant to any hard surface that is commonly used in the household and leave it on for three to five minutes.
• Rinse the surface and let it air dry.
• Always wear gloves.
• Open windows if using any products with bleach.
• Use white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide when looking make homemade cleaners.

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