Pediatricians Frequent viral load on children's toys

Viruses can survive on toys for a relatively long time
When people in our environment are sick, we usually maintain a certain distance so as not to risk transmission of the infection. Even with their children many parents make sure that they do not come into contact with sick friends and friends. But the pathogens can also lurk on surfaces. For example, children's toys in day care centers are a potential source of infection. "Some viruses can remain infectious for up to 24 hours on toys," reports the Association of Children and Adolescents (BVKJ) in a recent press release.

Citing a study by researchers at Georgia State University, the BVKJ warns against the risk of infection from children's toys. In day-care centers or medical practices, where many children play with it or sneeze and cough near it, this can be burdened with pathogens. According to the results of the American researchers, viruses on a plastic toy are infectious for up to 24 hours. The risk of infection should therefore not be underestimated.

Some viruses remain infectious on the surface of plastic toys for 24 hours, resulting in a high transmission risk. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com)

The viruses remain infectious for 24 hours
In their study, the US researchers investigated how infectious viral particles survive on a plastic squeaking frog. The humidity played a decisive role here. "Infectious particles were detectable up to 24 hours after contamination of the toy at 60% relative humidity and up to 10 hours at 40% relative humidity", the BVKJ reports on the study results. These were published in the journal "Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal".

Infected with little concern about infections
The study has shown that especially enveloped viruses such as influenza and coronaviruses, for a long time remain contagious on toys, according to the BVKJ. "People do not really think that they can catch on objects," is the study author Richard Bearden II quoted by the BVKJ. Most would rather assume that they are infected with other people. Because children touch a lot and put in the mouth and because their immune system is not fully developed, but they are particularly vulnerable to infection by objects. After 24 hours and 60 percent relative humidity remains only one percent of the original viral load on the toy infectious, "but even if only a few viruses remain, children can still be infected," warns the BVKJ.

Vehicle for disease outbreaks
According to experts, toys can be an important factor in the spread of viral diseases in children. Previous studies have already shown evidence of increased viral contamination of toys shared among daycare centers, doctors' offices or homes of several children. In particular, toys in waiting areas of medical facilities can serve as a vehicle for outbreaks of viral diseases, warns the BVKJ. (Fp)