10 Surprising Places to Find Germs

10 Surprising Places to Find Germs

Vacuum Cleaners

According to researchers at the University of Arizona, 50 percent of vacuum brushes they tested contained fecal bacteria, and all of them contained mold. Yummy. "Vacuum cleaners carry all the dust, some mites and a variety of other compounds that make the house a 'garbage dump,' so apart from throwing out the bags, the inside should be cleaned once or twice every six months with an ammonium-based or alcohol-based wipe or cleaner," Moyad explains.


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Cutting Boards

Mark A. Moyad, M.D., MPH, University of Michigan Medical Center, and a practicing physician, says cutting boards should be cleaned or placed in the dishwasher regularly. Here's why: "Cutting boards leave minor size particles from all sources -- meats, fruits, veggies -- that allow bacteria and other microorganisms to concentrate to this area."


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Gear Shifts on Cars

The next time you're ready to cruise in your car or a rental car by shifting gears, you may want to wear a glove. Microbiologists from Britain's Aston University found the dirtiest part of a car was the gear stick, home to 356 germs on a square centimeter. Considering many people eat food in their cars, the next time you go through a drive-through, you may want to hitch a ride to the nearest kitchen table instead.


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Elevator Buttons

Allison Janse, co-author of "The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu," explains, "There is a reason why some people press elevator buttons with their knuckles or elbows during cold and flu season. Elevator buttons can harbor cold and flu viruses, and other bacteria and germs can live on them for hours. So, just be sure to wash your hands after you touch them." She also emphasizes that you should avoid touching your face. "Germs will enter your body when you rub your eye, scratch your nose, touch your lips. If you can stop doing this, you'll be much better off."


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Yoga Mats

Although yoga is intended to cleanse the mind and body, when germs are lurking on yoga mats, it does anything but foster cleanliness. "Gyms offer a 'perfect storm' for bacteria to spread, given the moistness and the number of people who use them," says Janse. "With a yoga mat, just be sure you cover any cuts or abrasions, and if you're lying on your stomach, try not to let your open mouth touch the mat."


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Water Fountains

Here's a hint: Touch the water, not the spout. "Just like a public restroom door that gets all the germs, thousands of people touch this stuff over just a few days," Dr. Moyad notes. Mary Beth Minyard, associate project leader in bacteriology at Southern Research Institute adds, "People need to be cognizant of what they are touching, and always remember to keep hands away from eyes and mouth because these areas are portals of entrance for pathogens. The most important and crucial action people can take is hand-washing. This simply cannot be emphasized enough."


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Escalators

As you touch the railing for balance, you may not want to think about the little kid who just wiped his runny nose before touching the very same rail that you're grasping. "You can't put a bubble around yourself, but you can practice good hygiene. Wash your hands properly, frequently, and use hand sanitizer when you can't wash your hands," says Roslyn Stone, MPH and COO of Corporate Wellness, Inc., a health services company for the workplace.


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Keyboards

Janse notes that in a typical office building, computer keyboards rank among the top five germiest places. "A typical computer keyboard in an office has 3,295 germs per square inch (versus 49 for a toilet seat! And 69 for the photocopier)." Computers in public places, such as a library or kiosk in a mall, are also breeding grounds for germs. Her advice? "It's smart to have hand sanitizer near a communal keyboard, and/or wash your hands well throughout the day."

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ATM Machines

Sure, you may need to get some cash, but you may not realize how many germs are lurking from other customers who also touched the very same buttons. Stone recommends using hand sanitizer after using an ATM and when you're in public places in general. "Carry your own sanitizing wipes," she says. "Keeping them readily accessible is critical."


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Waiting Rooms

Ironically, when you're in the waiting room to see a doctor, you're exposing yourself to germs. Janse explains, "Waiting rooms are germ havens, but it's mostly the air that is contaminated." She also recommends bringing a Game Boy or other engaging toy to keep your child occupied instead of wandering over to the toys in the waiting room that have been sneezed on and drooled on and potentially never cleaned. "Bring Purell or a Purell wipe so you and your children can clean your hands after you leave the office, and most definitely give your hands a thorough washing when you get home."


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