 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: marabob
Date: 2003-12-21 20:44
My son has just recovered after 10 days with the flu. He was playing his instrument while he was still contagious. How would you go about disinfecting the instrument? I cleaned the mouthpiece in the doctors mouthpiece cleaning product.
Thanks
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-12-21 21:16
Can appreciate your concern, but can't give you any competent advice; hope somebody can.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-12-21 21:21
I would think that after you have had the flu, you are immune, at least for that season. So HE can play again but it would be unwise for anyone else to play on his mouthpiece for a while. But then, like Bob D, I'm no expert.
Henry
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Author: Luke
Date: 2003-12-21 22:21
I'd be concerned about playing with a non-disinfected mouthpiece, reed, and maybe ligature, but I don't think you need to disinfect the rest of the horn. Rubbing alcohol would probably be a good bet for the mouthpiece and ligature, or these "Sterisol" products that are on the market. As for the reed, unless it's a really good one throw it away. If you're in love with its response, a few minutes' soaking in some hydrogen peroxide solution should disinfect it. Don't worry about disinfecting the rest of horn itself, it shouldn't really be of concern.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-21 22:40
Pretty much once you get a virus, you build the antibodies to that strain of it. So your son won't catch the flu again (at least not that particular strain of the flu). However if anyone else uses his setup, that might be a problem.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-12-22 04:02
I agree with Alexi.
And regarding the various disinfecting, antibacterial agents available, the medical advice that I have received is that if you think you are going to kill the range of viruses and bacteria with such products you are fooling yourself. Hence autoclaving in hospitals. (Autoclaving wrecks clarinet mouthpieces)
We live in a sea of bacteria and viruses, and most of the time our bodies are very good at fighting them. Indeed we need constant exposure to maintain immunity.
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Author: lycfmtkl
Date: 2003-12-22 05:00
Leave the instrument for 7 days alone without playing. Open the case and let the instrument dries naturally about 3 hours a day. All viruses and bacteria should die after 7 days' "quarantine".
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-12-22 18:33
"All viruses and bacteria should die after 7 days' "quarantine".
Sorry, completely untrue. Viruses are not really alive in the first place, and many bacteria can survive very hostile conditions for long periods.
But I agree with Alexi and Gordon, no need to disinfect anything. Think about it, do you disinfect (or replace) your toothbrush after you've been ill? I certainly don't, not unless it's worn out anyway.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Quinn T. Chipley
Date: 2003-12-26 04:14
Viruses are more varied than members of the Animal Kingdom. The "flu virus" (usually Influenza Type A) requires some very specific conditions of temperature, moisture, and placement to cause infection. Humans must have the virus placed on a respiratory mucous membrane for the virus to gain entry. Once you have dealt with a variant of Influenza A, you are immune to it. Each year, however, it rearranges it's genetic code which dictates which proteins are exposed to our immune systems, so it may be very similar to a previously encountered virus, or totally novel. (We all live in dread of yet another pandemic of a totally novel variant. It will be disastrous.)
The major point is: you cannot reinfect yourself with the same flu variant. You can transmit Influenza A to others by mouthpieces, sneezing, handshakes, coughing, kissing: any activity which facilitates the virus to get an improved chance of contacting respiratory mucous membrances.
Post-flu practice and performance issues can arise, however. Many folks develop a "normal" bronchitis as the epithelial lining of the airways clears out damaged cells and adds new cells. Some folks can develop a secondary bacterial infection, as well. This is simply a more debilitating form of bronchitis, and can sometimes turn into a true bacterial pneumonia. there is a known "synergy" between Influenza A and some Staph and Strep bacterial pneumonia, but this most often affects the very young, the very old, or the immuno-compromised. Give yourself time to recover well.
The popular term "stomach flu" describes illness which are from an entirely different class of viruses. They cause nasuea, vomitting and/ or diarrhea. Those agents are usually mush more hardy in an environment outside of the human body, and are very easily transmitted.
Common colds can be spawned byat least 60 different viruses, from several different "families." The integrity of those agents outside the body varies enormously.
The advice about allowing instruments and mouthpieces to dry is on target in many respects, but primarily as a way to prevent transmission of colds and flus to other folks; not because such action reduces chances for reinfection from viral agents.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-12-26 20:46
Thank you Quinn, I believe you know what you are talking about.
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