how long can germs survive on objects
Germs can stay alive in air for up to 48 hours after leaving an  infected person or animal. Some germs can live up to a week on  surfaces they infect. It is best to keep han â¦ ds washed, and surfaces  sterile to kill germs.
Scientists say that toys can harbor cold germs for weeks or even months. Prior research has already concluded that two common bacteria that cause colds, ear infections, and strep throat don't often live for long outside the human body, but a new study finds that they can linger a lot longer than previously thought. Your best defense? Well-scrubbed hands. University of Buffalo researchers in New York published a study December 27 in the journal Infection and Immunity that found that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes can live on surfaces such as toys, books and cribs for weeks or even months.