It’s flu and cold season. Avoiding germs helps us avoid the flu and colds, so where are the germs lurking? You might be surprised to find where you can encounter the most germs.
- Home: Your kitchen is the germiest place. It has more bacteria than your bathrooms due to the germs on raw meat and produce. Clean and disinfect or sanitize your kitchen sink often. If you use a sponge, be sure to run it through the dishwasher after each use. Also, make sure to disinfect your kitchen counter-tops. Cold and flu germs can usually remain active on stainless steel, plastic and similar hard surfaces longer than on fabric or other types of soft surfaces.
- Cellphone: Since we carry our cellphones everywhere, they are usually loaded with bacteria including viruses like the flu. Frequently clean your smartphone with an alcohol-free antiseptic wipe. (Alcohol is not good for your screen.)
- Purse: Do you hang your purse or set it on the floor? Floors are really dirty places, especially restroom floors. Hang your purse on a hook or the back of a chair when possible, never put your purse on the kitchen counter, and regularly wipe your purse with a disinfectant wipe.
- Workplace: You may think the worst place is the restroom, but the ground-floor elevator will probably beat it out for the germiest place. Another place is the break room- especially the coffee pot handle and the water dispenser. Wash your hand as soon as you can after touching either one of these items.
- Restaurants: Guess what everyone touches? The menu has the most bacteria. Thus, after ordering your food, go to the restroom and wash your hands or take some hand sanitizer and use it before eating.
- Grocery Stores: If you guessed the grocery cart, you are right. Use a disinfecting wipe on the handles. If you use reusable grocery bags, put them on the floor, not the kitchen counter, and wash them often in hot water and bleach. Always wash your hands or sanitize them after shopping.
Washing your hands often with soap and water is the key to avoiding getting sick. 
This is the best way to reduce the germs you are exposed to. Be sure to wash your hands for 20 seconds and build up a lather before rinsing.
And remember, eating nutritious food and being physically active will also help you stay healthy and fight infections.
Hope you avoid the flu and colds this season!
Author: Pat Brinkman, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Fayette County
Reviewer: Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County
References:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2018). Preventive Steps. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm
Leamy, E. (2017). The Most Germ-Infested Places You Encounter Every Day – and How to Avoid Getting Sick. The Washington Post. Available at https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/17/the-most-germ-infested-places-you-encounter-every-day-and-how-to-avoid-getting-sick/
Steckelberg, J. M. (2015). Flu Germs: How Long Can They Live Outside the Body? Mayo Clinic. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/expert-answers/infectious-disease/faq-20057907.
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