Can one get COVID-19 by scratching my nose with dirty hands?

Question

Hi doctor,

Can I have a risk of getting a COVID-19 infection due to touching my nose with dirty hands? Before doing it, I was wearing a mitten. I always use disposable gloves when I go out. Rarely, I use mittens on dirty hands. I did not use mittens for a week. Will the virus could stay on the mitten? Could I get infected by scratching my nose?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. You do not have the chance of getting a COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection until your mittens are contaminated. It depends upon your contact with COVID-19 patients. If you are wearing gloves or mitten in a room or a public place without any COVID-19 patient around you, then there are no chances of getting an infection by touching your nose with mittens. You will not have an infection. But if you had any close contact by shaking hands with a COVID-19 patient, then there are big chances for you to get infected by touching the nose with the same hand. I suggest you wash your hands before touching your nose.