Places where you can get sick

February 17, 2014  17:42

Earlier this month two cruise ships cut their trips short due to illness outbreaks onboard, Fox News reports. But if you plan on staying ashore, what are some of the germiest hotspots you encounter in your daily life?

GERM HOTSPOT: WORK

Culprit #1: Your Desk

 Office desks harbor hundreds of times more bacteria per square inch than do the toilet seats in those same buildings, according to University of Arizona research. Wipe down your phone, keyboard, monitor, and desk with disinfectant wipes at least once a day, says Dr. Lola Stamm, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And avoiding eating in front of your computer—food particles contribute to germs.

Culprit #2: The Break Room's Refrigerator Door

In a study by the American Dietetic Association, 44 percent of office refrigerators are cleaned on a monthly basis— 22 percent are cleaned just once a year.

As if you needed another reminder to wash your mitts before eating. 

GERM HOTSPOT: Public Restrooms

Culprit #1: Sinks

A University of Colorado study identified 19 groups of bacteria, including staphylococcus aureus in public restrooms, and the sink may be the most germ-ridden surface of them all.

Culprit #2: Hand Dryers

 Rubbing your hands under a traditional dryer can boost the number of bacteria on your skin by up to 45 percent, a study in the Journal of Applied Microbiology found. Use paper towels to dry—and to open the door as you leave.

GERM HOTSPOT: THE BANK

Culprit #1: ATM's

One study found that each key on an ATM harbors an average of 1,200 germs, including E.coli and cold and flu viruses, University of Arizona researchers report.

Culprit #2: Cold, Hard Cash

Each bill contains an average of 26,000 bacteria, according to Oxford University scientists. Stash hand sanitizer in your car and scrub off as soon as you leave the bank.

GERM HOTSPOT: THE GROCERY STORE

Culprit #1: Carts

“In addition to germs from other shoppers and kids, raw meat may leak on the cart,” Stamm said. Wrap meat packages in a plastic bag before putting them in your cart, too.

Culprit #2: Reusable Shopping Bags

Ninety percent of shoppers don’t wash these bags regularly, according to another University of Arizona study. Researchers found coliform bacteria—from raw meat—and E.coli in nearly every reusable bag they sampled. Machine- or hand-wash your bags between uses, and use separate bags for meat and vegetables to avoid cross-contamination.

GERM HOTSPOT: HOTEL ROOMS

Culprit #1: TV Clickers and Light Switches

 A University of Houston study found these two things to be the most contaminated items in hotel rooms. Pack your own wipes to clean off the surfaces you touch every day.

Culprit #2: Maid's Cleaning Cart

 They’re packed with bacteria, meaning there’s a high risk of transferring those germs from one room to another. If you’re there for less than a few days, hang the Do Not Disturb sign to prevent acquiring bugs from other rooms during your stay.

GERM HOTSPOT: THE GYM

Culprit #1: Gym Weight Equipment

 One study in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found cold-causing viruses on 63 percent of the gym equipment. Researchers also discovered that weight equipment was contaminated significantly more often than aerobic equipment—73 percent versus 51 percent. Even worse: Disinfecting twice a day didn't do anything to lower the virus count since plenty of people still use them between wipe-downs. Your move: Pack your own hand sanitizer to use between sets.

Culprit #2: Weight-lifting Gloves

 Japanese researchers found that staph bacteria found on weights and machines bind to polyester, the material used in many gloves.Ditch the gloves—not only will you avoid some of the germs, you’ll strengthen your grip and forearms when you lift without them. 

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