Germs, which include bacteria and virus, are found everywhere. Most of the time we are not aware that we are transferring these creepy, crawly (invisible to the naked eye) creatures from one place to another. These are responsible to give you the "ever so common" cold and flu to the most life-threatening infections!
Let us look at 10 places where you can find them and the tips on how to protect yourself from them:
- Cell Phones: According to a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, cell phones are 20 times more infectious than the handle of a public toilet. The most common bacteria found are Staphylococcus (which can cause skin infections), Pseudomonas (which can cause eye infection), and Salmonella (which cause stomach ailments).
Tip: Clean your cell phone and PDAs with an antibacterial or disinfectant spray at least once in a week. - Grocery Cart: According to a study done by Arizona State University, more than 75% of grocery cart handles at grocery stores are caked with fecal bacteria which can cause diarrhea. The study has concluded that the carts are containing even more bacteria than the average public toilet!
Tip: Mop or swab the handle of the grocery cart with a disinfectant cleaner, if the store is providing it or else use your handkerchief or a tissue to hold on to the handle. - Menu Card of a Restaurant: A study published in the journal of Medical Virology states that cold and flu viruses can survive for 18 hours on hard surfaces, and in a restaurant, hundreds of people could be passing their germs on to you through the menu card. Have you ever seen anyone washing menu card!!
Tip: See that the menu card does not touch your plate, and of course wash your hands well after placing the order. - Fitness Equipments at a Gym: A research done and published in Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine (2006) stated the presence of rhinoviruses on the gym equipment. Researchers had also found that weight equipments were contaminated significantly more often than the aerobic equipments. The sweat of an individual, who had used the equipment before you, may act as the icing on the cake.
Tip: Prevent your face from touching the equipment and also avoid your infected hands from touching your face, as most of the upper respiratory tract infections are transmitted from hand to nose. Ask the cleaner to wipe the bench or other equipments with a disinfectant solution before you use them. - Kitchen Sinks Faucets and Sponges: According to several researches kitchen sink, faucets, and sponges are notorious for harboring bacteria. This is because food particles stay wet for days on them. A wet sponge with food and kitchen-counter germs makes an ideal engendering place for bacteria that can cause food-borne illnesses.
Tip: Clean the sink and faucets with a disinfectant or phenol solution regularly, specifically after dinner every night. It is better to use disposable or paper tissues for cleaning the kitchen platform. Otherwise, change the cleaning sponges once in a week. - Vacuum Cleaner: Dr. Charles Gerba, PhD, professor of environmental biology at the University of Arizona, says that "Vacuums -- including the brushes and bags -- are like meals-on-wheels for bacteria". Research has found the presence of fecal bacteria, including E. coli, on the brushes. Vacuum cleaning can spread the germs from an infected place to a non-infected one.
Tip: Spray the brush with a disinfectant after every use. Change the vacuum bag frequently. After every use, clean the cavity of the bag or else vacuum with a diluted bleach. - Door Mat: One study found that approximately 96% of shoes had traces of coliform bacteria. Whenever you walk in, the bacteria present on the doormat also gets entry into your house.
Tip: Keep your doormat dust free. If possible, wash it with water every second day. You can also use a disinfectant spray. Leave your shoes outside the house. - Dustbin/Food Disposal Area: The vegetables (cooked or uncooked) or fruits disposed can facilitate the cultivation and growth of harmful bacteria. Thus, your disposal can becomes the center for bacteria, infecting whatever comes in contact with it -- dishes, utensils, even your hands!
Tip: Remove the waste from the disposal area every day. Wash with soapy water once in a week. Use disinfectant for rinsing; do not forget to clean the stopper and handle of the disposal. - Bed: Bed linen, mattresses, and pillows have millions of microscopic bacteria residing in it. The viruses and bacteria can feed on your dead skin and sweat. It can lead to various allergies and respiratory problems.
Tip: Allow your mattresses and pillows to soak in the sun. Wash the bed linen in a disinfectant fabric cleaner. Keep your bed dry, as moisture is conducive for the bacteria to multiply. - Toilets: Toilet seats are places where fecal bacteria hide in thin layers. Studies have shown that bacteria and viruses from droplets produced by flushing a toilet remains airborne long enough to settle on surfaces throughout the bathroom. A lot of microorganisms float around the bathroom for at least two hours after each flush.
Tip: Use acid or bleaching product to clean the surface of the toilet seat at least once a week. Always close the lid while flushing.
There are several other places where germs are lurking in millions, such as:
- Knobs and handles of public restrooms
- Elevator buttons
- Escalator handrails
- Contact-lens cases
- Stationery used at banks for public use
- Soap dispensers
- Shower curtains
- Refrigerators
- Computer keyboards
- Laptops
To protect yourself, wash your hands often. Proper hand washing includes scrubbing hands under warm water with soap for 20 seconds before rinsing and drying with a clean towel.
Keeping yourself and your surroundings clean, especially kitchen tops and bathroom goes a long way in protecting yourself and your family from these invisible creatures. Above all else, you need to strengthen your immune system, so that, in spite of all your efforts if these "visitors" come searching for you, your immune system will protect you against them!
