How Long Can HPV Live On Surfaces Of Inanimate Objects?

Posted on Sat, 18 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 18 Apr 2015 Answered on

Mon, 11 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : hello doc. Got a question for you please. I know there are not really any conclusive ztudies about it, and opinions may vary, but about how long can HPV live on surfaces like doorknobs? How long does it take, for the virus to die off, so that it wont be a risk anymore?. I am worried that if I have a fresh cut on my hand, I could get it that way, from touching a doorknob that might be infected. Will the virus be present there forever? Thanks much

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No evidence for HPV transmitted through inanimte objects.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
HPV is highly fragile virus. There is no evidence that it could be transmitted through inanimate objects. No case reports came to my knowledge that anybody acquired HPV infection from door knob even with the presence of a cut injury in the fingers.
The possibility is very remote.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar