Do germs live forever?

How long do germs remain viable?

Cold viruses can survive on surfaces for as long as a week, although their potency diminishes significantly after the first 24 hours. When it comes to your hands, cold germs may persist for roughly an hour. The influenza virus can last on hard surfaces for about 24 to 48 hours. As for the coronavirus, it can remain active for several hours to a few days.