When flu or cold, sometimes people shut it down by using a tissue or handkerchief. Which is actually more hygienic, using a tissue or handkerchief?

Until now there is no a researcher who conducted a study on this matter. But the experts revealed that the tissue may be an option which is more hygienic than handkerchiefs, provided the tissue that is already used immediately removed and washed hands.

Jack Gwaltney Professor and Professor Ron Eccles said if you do not throw it away and do not maintain good hygiene by hand, then this is no different from reusing the same handkerchief.

When someone throw snot from his nose into a tissue or handkerchief, then the virus that causes flu will accumulate in the container and can last up to a certain time outside the body.

“There are over 200 viruses that can cause colds are mostly from the family of viruses, including rhinovirus ,” said Professor Jack Gwaltney of the University of Virginia Medical School, as quoted from ABC.net.au.

Rhinovirus has a coat protein that can survive quite well on hard surface, fabric and survive in a clean dish even up to 3 days outside the body. This condition makes the virus can survive in a tissue or handkerchief and should be immediately discarded.

“If someone touches a handkerchief or tissue it is likely that the virus particles placed in the hands that spread the infection if it touches other people or items such as doorknobs, telephones, computer keyboards or money,” said Prof Eccles as director of the center of the Common Cold Research Centre at Cardiff University, the UK.

The virus can be spread when hands that contain this virus touches the nose or eyes, because the virus in the eye can travel into the nose through the tear ducts.

Therefore experts advise to wash hands with soap and running water to remove the virus. If you prefer to use a handkerchief, make sure to wash your hands regularly and do not keep a handkerchief in the long term