Viruses and bacteria are known to become more prevalent in the winter, and as we move into the colder months, the home and bedroom will be exposed to more bacteria and germs related to cold andfluSo, to prevent the spread of these germs among family members and visitors to your home, all bedding, towels, and clothes must be kept clean.. In this report, we learn how this happens, according to the “Daily Express” website.
And if you or your child is sick, put the bedding in the washing machine immediately to kill any remaining germs.
And viruses, such as those that cause the flu, the common cold, and stomach bugs, can survive on soft surfaces like bedding for up to 12 hours.
Bed sheets or bedding
Viruses such as influenza can stay in bed for up to 12 hours.
Germs can appear in your bed from various household items such as towels, toilets, kitchen surfaces, and pets, and improper and regular washing can lead to the spread of germs in your bedding.
Common types of microbes that can live in your bed, and how long they can survive
– Influenza viruses, can live for 8 to 12 hours on tissues and fabrics. These viruses cause influenza, and symptoms include a sudden rise in temperature, body pain, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Staphylococcus aureus, can live for up to a week on cotton sheets. These bacteria are known to cause infections of the skin and soft tissues, such as abscesses and cellulitis. Pneumonia or bone infections can occur in severe cases that affect the bloodstream.
Candida albicans, this can last up to a month. This fungal species is known to cause oral thrush, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections.
bed bugs
We lose a lot of fluids and body oils every night while we sweat in our sleep, not to mention thousands of dead skin cells are shed every hour.” “This environment is the perfect breeding ground for dust mites and bedbugs.
Dust mites – Dust mites feed on dead skin cells, which are found abundantly inside the bed in which they sleep at a rate of six to eight hours a night. Although they are not visible to the naked eye, they multiply rapidly without being detected.
Tens of thousands of dust mites can live in your bed at any given time, and the feces and dead bodies of dust mites can cause severe allergic reactions in some people.
Symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, rash, itchy eyes, and runny nose. Dust mites are also a very common trigger for asthmatics.
Even if you don’t have asthma or allergies, you may experience cold symptoms like stuffy nose and sneezing following a night’s sleep if your sheets are not clean.
Bed bugs. Bed bugs can also be present on your bed sheets following being carried indoors by clothing, backpacks, or other household members.