DENVER -- With the H1N1 scare, many are on the lookout for germs everywhere.

"My office has hand sanitizer bottles everywhere. My gym has them everywhere," said Lone Tree resident Noelle Kaire. "I carry Purell in my purse."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site says the H1N1 virus can survive and infect a person for two to eight hours after being left on a surface.

But take heart.

Dr. Richard Vogt, executive director of the Tri-County Health Department, said the virus lives longer on wet areas than on dry ones, which, he said, means handling dry items such as money or your computer mouse doesn't carry as much risk.

"As long as you're wiping down the area and cleaning it regularly, it should kill the germs," said Vogt.

CDC studies showed the alcohol-based gels are effective in killing the germs, but check the label. The CDC recommends at least 60 percent alcohol concentration for hand-sanitizers to work.

The agency recently changed its policy to say some non-alcohol-based sanitizers may be "useful."

"When it comes right down to it, these products haven't been thoroughly tested, so under those circumstances, one should be cautious in purchasing these types of products," said Vogt.