Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam
Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Today I took a COVID-19 test. Not because I have been feeling sick if anything. As a matter of fact, my husband just took his test and it was negative. Every time I go out I take the necessary precautions. After I left the doctor's office I sanitized my hands and walked towards my car. I took off my mask and gloves and touched the door handle of my car to open it. Then without thinking about it I touched my nose. I then sanitized my hands again and also put a little sanitizer on my nose. I know theoretically anything is possible. My question is what are the chances that could have been contaminated from my car door handle? And after taking my COVID test to boot. I am extremely nervous because I suffer from anxiety as well.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have undergone for COVID-19 test and after finishing the test, you have touched your car's door handle with your bare hands and also touched your nose and your query is the chance of being infected by COVID-19 from this incident.
Well, it is difficult to predict. When a person with COVID-19 positive coughs or exhales, droplets of inflected fluid are released and fall on nearby objects and surfaces like a door handle, tables or desks, etc. people may be infected by COVID-19 by touching contaminated objects and then touching their nose, eyes, or mouth. Coronavirus may last or survive on objects or surfaces for about 10-18 hours.
But if your door handle was not contaminated by COVID-19, you have no chance to catch by COVID-19. And if your car was placed at public-free place, then there is less chance of your car's contamination. So please do not be worried. Stay calm and observe and then do as needful.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Yes, that is what happened. It is terrible to have health anxiety. It truly disrupts my life. My car was parked in a large parking area that belongs to a medical complex.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I think your car was placed in a public-free area as well. As you took off your hand gloves and face masks before entering your car so I think that parking area was public free or you were far away from any people. For that reason, I think there is less chance to catch by COVID-19 and that car was your own car and you touched your own car's door handle. So do not be worried at all.
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Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)
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