I have the worst cold ever and I haven’t been able to play my whistle the last few days because I can’t breathe and frankly, I’ve been upright for only short periods of time. Now my question is, I’m pretty sure the cold was coming on for several days before that, so are my whistles contaminated? I don’t know how long a cold germ can live on an object and I don’t like the idea of spraying lysol in them. Should I put them in hot water or something? I’d hate to keep giving myself the same cold.
I’ll need someone to confirm this, but it’s my understanding you can’t catch the same cold twice. Every cold or flu virus is a little different, and when you’ve gotten over a cold, your immune system has developed resistance to that strain of the virus.
Anyway, that’s been my understanding. If that’s correct, someone please confirm; if mistaken, someone please correct.
Best wishes,
Jerry
You are correct Jerry, you can’t reinfect yourself with a virus. If it’s strep throat, however, you can get reinfected…time to throw out the toothbrushes and disinfect the whistles with something, in that case.
Robin
Don’t use Lysol. That stuff can eat certain plastics. It destroyed the waterproof lining of one of my backpacks.
Alcohol’s a pretty good disinfectant…
Studies have shown that alcohol really isn’t that great of a disinfectant, though we continue to use it in the medical field. A good disinfectant is a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. I don’t know how safe it is for whistles, for metal ones it should be just fine. Obviously rinse them well with regular water afterwards to remove the bleach. And plain old hot soapy water is really pretty good at killing germs too.
I don’t know off the top of my head how long cold viruses can live on surfaces, but they are pretty hardy. And while you can’t get sick with the same virus again (provided your immune system is working properly), it sure isn’t a bad idea to disinfect them anyway.
Beth
I’ve been unsuccessfuly trying to get over a pneumonia for the last five weeks, and blowing the whistle has been well…problematic, but I do it anyway. I went in for a second set of xrays and got a call back requesting I go in for a CT scan…which I did today, for a suspicious nodule on one of my lungs. Because I’ve also had malignant melanoma, I am wondering just how many good whistling days I may have left. The next couple of days are going to be a tich tense while we wait for the results of the CT scan. Please think some positive thoughts my way, if you are so inclined. 
Consider them sent. Please let us know your results, we’re rooting for you!
Robin
Jean, I’ll keep my thoughts with you.
Best wishes,
Jerry
Celtoid, my good thoughts are with you… know that all of C&F is wishing you all the best!
Andrea
Beth,
For the record, I wasn’t being serious.
Still, given the choice, I’d a lot sooner disinfect my whistles with Glenlivet than either chlorine bleach or soapy water
Prayers, meditations, positive energy, crossed fingers, wood knocked, healing thoughts, and some mighty good vibes comin’ at ya, Celtoid.
Keep us aprised.
Celtoid,
my thoughts are with you at what I know is a scary time,
take deep breaths,
think of good freinds (us lot will do)
look around at good thing of the world.
don’t worry
and keep your chin up.
Richard.
Thanks all, you have made my day 
I’m thinking of disinfecting all my whistles with Glenlivet or Glenfidich by the following method: Dip whistle in glass of glenwhatever, cover all the holes, draw up contents of glass throught he whistle, swallow contents. Repeat. Your whistle will be clean and so will you. 
I find that Joy dish soap and hot water work really well. You could probably use vinegar as well, but my vote is on the Glenlivet for esthetic reasons alone.
Yesh… shtrictly fer medishional purposhes, of coursh…
You’re a better man than I if you can use this method for your low whistles! 
(Contemplates Low F and Low D whistles)
Not to mention that to afford enough Glenlivet (and why not Glenmorangie or Laphroig?) you’d better be a richer man than I as well. 
College students of the partying persuasion have something similar to this, known as a “beer bong”
You guys are funny. I’ve learned the cold virus can live outside the body for several hours. Considering I haven’t played my whistle in several days, I feel confident that it isn’t harboring any germs. However, I think I will try the bleach trick anyway. I always forget about bleach.
I’ve been to the doctor today and have a raging sinus infection, but my lungs are clear and everything else seems fine. Two weeks of antibiotics, though, and my stomach’s going to be a wreck.
Celtoid, any word on your scan?
TXw,
We’ve discussed this before on this board, but it’s worth repeating.
In the United States for some reason, doctors don’t consider the damage antibiotics do to the friendly digestive flora. In many other parts of the world, it’s standard practice to dispense a probiotic supplement to be taken along with the antibiotic and continued for a week or two after the antibiotic’s done to replenish the digestive flora. You can pick up a probiotic supplement at a health food store, or you can just add yoghurt to your diet for awhile.
FWIW,
Jerry
Yes - that’s right about probiotics. You need to put them into your system if you absolutely have to take antibiotics (dreadful things they are but sometimes necessary as a last resort)
In terms of antibacterial and antiviral protection, grapefruit seed extract (from health shops) is excellent for people and things. I usually don’t get colds or flu because I take it (drops in water - very bitter!) for a day or two at the first signs of possible infection. It strengthens the immune system and leaves your healthy digestive bacteria happily where they are! I also use tea tree oil and lavender oil as household disinfectants (diluted) - I wonder if they would be good for flutes and whistles - I might try - lavender oil is also wonderful on itchy insect bites - applied neat it stops the itching and cools the heat immediately!
There you go - thats my wisdoms for today - always seeking alternatives due to having what they call ‘private drainage’ round here - no nasty caustic bleach in my house! (I need the bugs in my septic tank alive and kicking and getting on with their job!!)
Celtoid - hope your news will be good - I know what its like having had a few nasty health scares myself - its the waiting and not knowing thats the worst - either way you can do something positive when you actually know so whilst its hard, do try not to worry - all the best and I hope it goes well for you.
Sarah