 Dr. Glen Armstrong, an expert in microbiology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary, said people should be sure to sanitize their hands after handling money, as viruses such as H1N1 can be transferred on the surface of cash and coins. (Jenna Mcmurray, Sun Media)
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In a single day, the same cash or change may land in the hands of dozens of different people through transactions, but the transfer of money can also mean the transfer of viruses.
Dr. Glen Armstrong, professor and head of the department of microbiology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary, said it is possible to contract the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu by handling money.
"Even if you touch money, you shouldn't put your hands up around your nose and mouth," said Armstrong.
While contracting the H1N1 flu this way is much less likely than contracting it from direct contact with another human, he said it's important for people to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer after handling money, especially before eating.
The virus can survive better on hard surfaces, like coins, than it can on paper money, but both are capable of passing it on.
The Public Health Agency of Canada reports H1N1 can survive up to 48 hours on hard surfaces, like coins, and eight to 12 hours on soft surfaces including paper.
However, it can only infect a person within two to eight hours of being deposited on hard surfaces and within several minutes after being deposited on soft ones.
Armstrong said the most likely place to contract H1N1 from handling money is fast food locations, where cash and coins are circulated in and out of the till very quickly.
"I would say the highest risk is wherever money and food are in the same place," he said.
"You should definitely use a hand sanitizer before you sit down and chow down on that burger."
JENNA.MCMURRAY@SUNMEDIA.CA
