Germs are everywhere!

There are an estimated five nonillion (5×10 to the power of 30) bacteria alive and thriving on Earth today, according to a Foxnews.com article. Ow !! They are much more numerous than plants and human life on this planet. We know that there are “good” and “bad” bacteria. E Coli and the like are bad and there are also viruses. We are continually surrounded by microbes.

We can never be “germ-free” no matter how hard we try. And we wouldn’t want to because the good news is that most bacteria are “friendly.” They help to recycle nutrients; They are necessary for the digestion of our food, create a natural form of antibiotic in our guts, improve our immune system, increase our ability to synthesize B vitamins and absorb other nutrients and more.

However, it is when the bad outnumbers the good that the problems begin. Since we are practically surrounded by all kinds of bacteria and viruses and are particularly vulnerable at this time of year, I thought it would be interesting to know what some of the most germ-laden surfaces are and how you can keep yourself and your family healthy despite from them.

So here are some facts about these germs that we coexist with on a daily basis:

Just every square centimeter of skin is home to around 100,000 bacteria. And a single sneeze can spray droplets infested with bacteria and viruses up to 3 feet away.

Different surfaces can allow bacteria to live from a few hours to several days or even months. The least favorable type of surface for bacteria to live on is a hard, non-porous surface, such as a countertop, tile or glass floor.

Cold and flu viruses can survive on dry surfaces for more than 48 hours, while some bacteria, such as E. coli, can survive on dry surfaces for months. Soft, damp surfaces (especially those with a lot of food) are perfect for bacteria. Wet cloth, sponges, and carpets are excellent places for bacteria because they protect them from exposure to the environment, dry air, or sunlight.

Money is another surface that bacteria can live on for quite some time. Paper money is usually the worst, but bacteria can also live on coins for several hours. Most money is touched by hundreds or thousands of people, comes in contact with a variety of surfaces, and is porous, allowing bacteria to move deep within the fibers to avoid environmental hazards. Money can harbor bacteria for several weeks in a row, and if used frequently (such as $ 1, $ 5, and $ 20 bills) it can become re-infected over and over again.

Office computer keyboards are another microbial playground! A study by a group of UK consumers tested 33 office keyboards for microbial contamination. Based on their findings, they labeled several as “dangerous to health.” A keyboard had five times more germs than public toilet seats in the same office! You should periodically clean your computer keyboard and certainly not eat near it!

Public magazines (especially those found in doctor’s offices) and other waiting rooms are another breeding ground for cold and flu germs. Any magazine in the bathrooms can also have fecal bacteria (yuck!) If you read a public magazine, avoid touching your face and always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer afterwards.

If you exercise in a gym, be careful! A 2006 study in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine found the cold virus in 73% of weightlifting equipment and 51% of aerobic equipment. It is suggested that you clean all equipment thoroughly after use and avoid touching your face until you have washed your hands.

One study found that two-thirds of shopping cart handles are contaminated with fecal bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella, even more than public toilet seats. Shopping cart handles are excellent transmitters of diarrhea and other potential illnesses for both adults and children.

Be sure to use the complementary sanitary wipes many grocery stores offer, or clean the handles with your own sanitizer. It goes without saying that you should avoid touching your face while shopping, but PLEASE don’t let your toddler suck on the handle like I’ve seen some do!

The Lord thought that physical cleanliness was so important that He described specific measures for His people in numerous places in the Bible (see especially Leviticus 11-17).

The bottom line is this: wash your hands more (with soap and water) and avoid touching your face. These two universal measures will go further than anything else to keep you healthy and germ-free all year long.

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