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Protecting yourself from cold and flu is a hands-off endeavor

You might be surprised at how often you can potentially come in contact with infected surfaces, especially kids.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - We've been hearing a lot about the highly contagious coronavirus. It's also the height of the cold and flu season. The Indiana State Department of Health reports that so far this season, 54 people here have died of flu-related illness.

How best to protect ourselves from getting sick? We're told to get a flu shot, keep clear of people who are sick, wash our hands often.

But how often and when? The flu virus can live on some surfaces for up to 48 hours. You might be surprised at how often you can potentially come in contact with infected surfaces, especially kids.

We followed an 8-year-old girl to a popular hands-on Indianapolis attraction to see how many times she touched things touched by many others before her and why it was impossible to keep track. That doesn't mean she's destined to get sick, it's just a reminder of why it's important to take a few precautions while work, home and play during this time of year.

Watch what we learned in the video player above.

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