What’s the current medical opinion, guys?
If you are sick and blow into a wooden flute, can you reinfect yourself by playing the flute the next day? The next week? Can viruses and bacteria live in exotic hardwoods that are periodically oiled?
Opinions appreciated.
Best wishes (and sneezes),
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
I would say yes, a flute can get sick.
I’ve seen some old flutes mold.. over the oil..
I’ve smelled all sorts of environments in flutes..cigarettes, incense etc.
If smoke can penetrate oil and wood, and leave a smell, then I would say that breath and air do as well.
As for whether or not the bacteria /virii can live there for long, no idea.
I think I would pick up some sanitary wipes and after playing the flute I would wipe the inside and push one through the bore. That should take care of any little germs.
Just my thoughts on it 
(edited for spelling)
[ This Message was edited by: AaronS on 2003-01-31 16:43 ]
I don’t think so. You won’t re-infect yourself while you have the cold or virus, and immediately after you likely have an immunity to that strain. So, keep playing, and don’t think about it. [Sneezes while typing 
.]
However, I wouldn’t be comfortable if we were talking about someone else’s germs. The problem here would be in the short term, but next day I doubt would be a concern.
Dr. Bill (not)
[ This Message was edited by: SuiZen on 2003-01-31 16:49 ]
On 2003-01-31 16:33, peeplj wrote:
What’s the current medical opinion, guys?If you are sick and blow into a wooden flute, can you reinfect yourself by playing the flute the next day? The next week? Can viruses and bacteria live in exotic hardwoods that are periodically oiled?
Opinions appreciated.
Best wishes (and sneezes),
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
See??? That new flute is making you SICK!! I suggest you send it to me immediately!
Actually, if it is something in the flute that is making you sick (Which I would tend to doubt), then it would most likely be a virus, rather than a bacteria. Bacteria can replicate and divide on their own, but they need a source of food. While there are some bacteria that use CO2 (anaerobes) for food, I don’t think you’d get enough from exhaled air to sustain them. (Incidentally, it isn’t the bacteria that makes you sick, it’s the waste products from bacterial respiration.)
Virii, on the other hand, cannot replicate without a host cell, and can “live” quite a long time in a dormant state. Virii have either RNA or DNA, and when they get into a cell, start taking bits and pieces to match what they have, and start sending out “signals” to other cells. (Thus producing wierd effects, i.e. illness.) There is a theory that the “mummy’s curse” that killed so many was merely dormant virii that we had lost immunities to over time.
In either case, the oiled wood will form a VERY poor surface for either to attach to. (90% of infections post admission in hospitals could be cured by 100% handwashing between patients, because the soap breaks up the hold germs have on the hands.) As long as you clean the flute out pretty well, I highly doubt there would be enough bacteria/virus concentration to keep making you sick.
That being said, I still think it’s the flute, and that you should send it to me for extended…really extended decontamination procedures. 
Aodhan
That being said, I still think it’s the flute, and that you should send it to me for extended…really extended decontamination procedures.
Aodhan
Nice try, there!
However…
I didn’t get sick from the flute.
When you work in a medical clinic, you don’t have to look further for the cause of trouble, and the crud is really making the rounds in this part of the world.
(Definition “crud”–noun, refers to any one of several respiratory infections as referred to by those who live in the South–like me. This could be anything from catarrh to consumption; it’s all crud. Blech.)
I do ‘preciate ya’ll answerin’ my querstion so licketty-split though. 
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
[ This Message was edited by: peeplj on 2003-01-31 17:57 ]
James, my two cents from 20+ years as a respiratory therapist is that the odds of infecting or reinfecting yourself with a bacterial or viral infection through the flute are next to nil…there is so much higher risk of getting sick from typical daily environmental contacts and other people that the flute should not be a concern in this regard - Tod
I would like to express my appreciation for all of your answers.
You have helped set my mind at ease.
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
Aodhan’s reply had me thinking along the lines of ‘The curse of the Mummy’s flute’-what a film that would make! Want to buy the film rights anyone?