 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Harold
Date: 2002-04-12 19:28
I have played on several reeds while being ill, and likely contageous, with either a virus or bacterial infection. Is there a realistic concern about getting the illness again, later when I have gotten well, by using these same reeds? Would a brief soak in hydrogen peroxide, or just a light cleaning with soap and water, be advisable? I have never worried about this before, and it has not seemed to be a problem, but was I just lucky? Thanks.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-04-12 20:59
You would probably be immune from that version of the virus after recovering so you wouldn't re-infect yourself. If you came down sick again, it would be a different strain of the virus that you hadn't yet developed an immunity to. If someone else used your reeds, they could get sick though.
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-04-12 22:26
Harold,
I have never had a reinfection problem in the last 35 years of doing what you are. Re: the above posts, how do you know if it is a virus causing your problem... could have been bacterial. I agree that viral problems most likely wouldn't re-infect you if you have a normal immune system. Bacterial infections will probably not be a problem either if you have intact oral mucosae (no cuts or ulcers).
If you are really concerned, why not clean up the mouthpiece and use a new reed? Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol are not particularly effective disinfectants. If you were really concerned I would suggest using a good gluteraldehyde cold sterilant and leaving the reed and mouthpiece in it for at least 11 to 15 hours. You can probably get some from your dentist (I am a dentist), but maybe not as I know I no longer use the stuff in my office and due to OSHA and CDC concerns many officees are moving away from the use of cold sterilants... now EVERYTHING gets either autoclaved or discarded after use.... So your dentist may have some solution he/she no longer uses which he/she would be happy to give away, I know I do!
Terry
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Author: Suzanne
Date: 2002-04-13 01:35
Dee is right. Biologically, once your immune system beats a virus, you can't get sick from that same virus ever again.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-04-13 14:33
Bugs-either viral or bacterial hate to be dried out. Most are killed and do not survive on a dry surface like a dry reed or mouthpiece. Reinfection with the same virus and bacteria that have caused a previous infection are remote because of the specific antibodies already primed by the host immune system. Some bacteria are tolerated by the host immune system (this is why we have species of streptococci in our "normal throat flora" which persist) and pathogenic species can more easily gain a foothold e.g. "strep throat". There is a possibility of reinfection with these strains - again remote.
The best course is to thoroughly clean your reeds (getting a new one and tossing the old would be my choice) with pharmacy brand hydrogen peroxide (fill a small juice glass and stick your reeds in for 30 minutes), then rinse with tap water and dry, and thoroughly clean your mouthpiece. Sanitize, disinfect, or sterilize you mouthpiece if you wish but not with extra strong chemicals. The latter is probably not entirely necessary. *Note - I am not a physician and do not offer medical advice*
Most of the gluteraldehyde based disinfectants have been pulled from the market because of other health problems in their use. They would not be a good idea for reeds because they chemically crosslink proteins and also cellulose and would change the vibrational characteristics of the reeds (in some of my reed enhancement experiments I have used gluteraldehyde and have documented it's effects). Autoclaving is out of the question for both reeds and mouthpieces.
The Doctor
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Author: Brad
Date: 2002-04-14 07:47
Hi Doctor,
What kind of doctor are you? I was thinking about becoming a medical doctor someday, until I heard about the 12 years spent in medical school and intern. Anyway, I am taking AP chemistry this year (10th grade). cool yeah? Maybe I can still become a doctor.
Anyway, Harold, like other people are saying, you can still catch the same virus or bacteria again. Actually, if you are exposed to it, you WILL catch it again. There's no question about that. The antigen will still get into your system. However, in the secondary immune response, (if you've recovered from the first antigen which would take about 7-14 days to make the most amt of antibody), the memory cells will produce a much faster response. High levels of antibodies will be produced in a few days.
For you guys who haven't been to school in a long time, do you still remember this?
RIDDLE: given that there are at least 10^6 different antibodies in a person (much more than we need!), how can a limited amount of genetic material give rise to a large number of antibodies and receptor diversity? There are only about 3 billion base pairs and 10^5 genes in the human genome.
This was given to me by a friend who is taking Biology. It stumped me at first. No fair looking in textbooks or outside sources!!
PS: I'm sorry this doesn't having anything to do with clarineting :(
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-04-14 12:14
Brad-I've gotten this question before and my post script initials are in a previous thread but I make my "day job" living as a chemist. My prescription for success, which means different things to different people - and should, is to love, and have a passion for whatever you are doing and be a constant student inquiring and learning every day of your life.
The Doctor
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