The Today show talked about the 9 surprising places that germs lurk. Germs that cause illness lurk in some out-of-the way spots, and bacteria and viruses can remain active on surfaces for days or even weeks, especially in wet areas. “Because of the natural moisture of our skin, we easily pick up these organisms, and we transfer them to our face,” says Elizabeth Scott, co-director of Boston’s Simmons College Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community. Good hygiene in the home is especially important for people with compromised immune systems, Scott notes.
Surprisingly, the kitchen it the most germ infested place in our homes. We have cutting boards, sinks, trash cans, and the worst – sponges. Sponges carries billions of bacteria. When you clean off the counters with a sponge, you are literally spreading the bacteria around.
The bedroom – There are tons of dead skin cells that are lying in your bed. Wash linens regularly. And the pillows…all that dust from your pillows are actually dust mites and their feces.
Other places that house germs are the laundry room and remote control. Make sure to use a disinfectant on the remote, door handles, and light switches regularly.
The cleanest place is actually the bathroom. Make sure to put toothbrushes away in cabinets and put the toilet seat down before flushing.
Here are a few places the Today Show mentioned to be mindful of:
- Office: Desk, ATM, Elevator – Office desks contain hundreds of times more bacteria per square inch than office toilet seats.
- Shopping cart – Those rolling carts may be bacteria wagons. A recent University of Arizona study found that the handles of almost two-thirds of shopping carts were contaminated with E coli. Drool, saliva and mucus from children also collect there. The grocery cart “is one of the most surprising places [for germs] we’ve come across,” says Chuck Gerba, a microbiologist who conducted the study.
- Public salt/pepper shakers – Those sneaky condiment containers. The University of Virginia researchers in the same home study found an unusual location for rhinovirus — salt and pepper shakers. “A person gets mucus on their fingers, then picks up the salt and pepper shakers, and they leave [the virus] there,” says Dr. Owen Hendley of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville.
- Cell Phone – Your hands can be home to plenty of germs, and with regular cell use, the result can be a filthy phone. Cell phones also are stowed in nice, warm pockets, making a good breeding laboratory. Your phone can carry lots of bacteria, including staph, which can cause skin infections.
We can’t escape the germs, but there are was to protect yourself and your children. Wash hands regularly and use hand sanitizers. Clean items disinfecting wipe regularly.
You should wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds before touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Another interesting fact –Adults touch their faces up to 18 times per minute. Kids touch their faces up to 80 times per minute.
To read more or watch the video check out the Today Show: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33606252/ns/health-cold_and_flu/?pg=1#Health_LurkingGerms
