Disease-causing germs (viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi) are spread through several ways, including air, body fluids, and food. They can also survive on surfaces, such as doorknobs, desks, and counter tops. You can become sick if you touch a surface that is contaminated and then touch your eye, mouth, or nose.

Washing your hands is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick and spreading illnesses. Here are other ways to reduce the risks.

The kitchen is the most germ-rich area in the house, especially cutting boards, countertops, sinks, and sponges. In fact, there are about 200 times more bacteria on the average cutting board than on a toilet seat.

• Clean (removing dirt and germs) and disinfect (killing additional germs) counters and other surfaces before, during, and after preparing food.
• Replace the kitchen sponge or wash cloth often, or microwave it for 2 minutes to kill germs. If you wash with a dirty sponge, you are spreading the germs around!

The bathroom should also be routinely cleaned and disinfected. This is especially important if someone in the house has diarrhea, a cold, or flu. Another way to keep the bathroom cleaner is to close the top toilet lid when flushing.

For more information regarding germs

…at work: www.cdc.gov/germstopper/work.htm

…at the gym: www.sportsmedicine.about.com/b/a/219436.htm

…in the pool: www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/faq/operators_print.htm 

Key Reference

Rusin, P., Orosz-Coughlin, P. & Gerba, C. (1998). Reduction of faecal coliform, coliform and heterotrophic plate count bacteria in the household kitchen and bathroom by disinfection with hypochlorite cleaners. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 85(5), 819-828.