Life Of A Virus

MYFOXNY.COM - A crowded city is the perfect place for a virus to thrive.

Sneezing and coughing on subways and buses can easily lead to the spread of the seasonal flu and the swine flu.

Viruses can land anywhere from three fee to five feet away and can live on surfaces like counter tops and door knobs.

Dr. Phillip Tiernor, Director of Clinical Microbiology at NYU Langone Medical Center, says influenza is one of the easiest things to kill on surfaces. Bleach and alcohol containing products killed the virus almost instanltly.

Regular soap and water does not kill viruses, but it does wash them away, adds Dr. Tiernor.