Earlier this month, not one, but two cruise ships cut their trips short due to illness outbreaks onboard.
It’s not entirely a shock. Cruise ships are floating petri dishes and it takes very few particles of the norovirus – a.k.a. the stomach flu-to make you heave, said Dr. Lola Stamm, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
But if you plan on staying ashore, what are some of the germiest hotspots you encounter in your daily life?
Following are six common culprits and what you can do to avoid sickness.
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, Stamm says. And avoiding eating in front of your computer-food particles contribute to germs.
Culprit #2: The Break Room’s Refrigerator Door
Even more disgusting than your co-worker’s stinky lunch are the germs hanging out on the 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.
Germ hotspot: Public Restrooms
Culprit #1: Sinks
Your worst fears have been confirmed: A University of Colorado study identified 19 groups of bacteria, including staphylococcus aureus – the bug linked with antibiotic-resistant infections – in public restrooms. The sink may be the most germ-ridden surface of them all, according to a study by the non-profit NSF International, since the dampness allows microorganisms to survive.
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
Considering that 95 percent of people wash their hands improperly, according to Michigan State University researchers, ATM users may deposit something else besides a few checks. 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
Cash may carry some unexpected cling-ons: 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.
