Why you better not touch

What is the danger

Statistics show that 95% of people wash their hands within 6 seconds. Not more. And in order to achieve the desired result, that is, wash off dirt and harmful microorganisms, it is necessary to devote 15–20 seconds to thorough washing.

It is also very useful to know after what or before what hands should be washed especially thoroughly. Let's start with ourselves.

The mucous membranes of our eyes and nose are not protected by anything. Therefore, bringing the infection there is a simple matter. This is especially easy to do during the SARS season or other epidemics.

Therefore, if you are really unbearable to clear your nose or rub your eyes, wash your hands more thoroughly than usual. Here the rule is true: wash seven times, touch once.

But even if you are not going to pry yourself into your nose and you do not have such a habit, you should not touch everything in a row. From childhood I was taught that after going to the toilet, touching money and traveling in public transport, you definitely need to wash your hands. But it turned out that these are far from the only dangerous places.

Sources of danger

Refueling nozzle

Today, gas stations are rarely found where the driver has to refuel the car himself. But still they are. If you drive, then you also periodically encounter this.

Remember, touching a refueling gun can catch a disease, for example, from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is not afraid of any antibiotics. Therefore, it is better not to touch objects and surfaces in public places unnecessarily.

But there are cases when places and objects do not seem to us to be public, although in fact they are and carry no less danger.

81% of hotel room surfaces

Yes, that's exactly how many percent of all surfaces in a hotel room have mastered E. coli. And do not rely on the number of stars of the institution, since you still cannot assign an overseer with a microscope to each maid who will check the quality of her work.

Cleaning the items in the room is not your concern, but your concern is to maintain your health and well-being. Therefore, it is better to wipe everything you are going to touch with antibacterial wipes. Pay particular attention to switches, telephone, remote control, and other items of frequent use.

Office kitchen surfaces

Some offices have spaces that can be called an office kitchen. This is where employees gather to socialize, have tea, warm up and eat their lunch. Lunch, the remains of which decompose and become a breeding ground for microbes and pathogenic bacteria.

The irony of fate: you wash your hands to neutralize harmful microorganisms by contacting the faucet handles, which in 75% of cases are covered with these same pests. Therefore, wash your hands away from such places or use disinfectant gels.

Gadgets

Smartphones, tablets and computer keyboards pose a threat to your health, even if you are used to washing your hands thoroughly. On average, a smartphone shares 600 staphylococcus bacteria with you in one short use. In general, 18 times more pathogens live on the body of your device than on the flush button of the toilet.

The tips are simple: do not take your devices with you when you go to the toilet, periodically wipe them with special screen and keyboard cleaners.

How to live now ?

I can imagine what feeling is born by the end of this article. Someone already ran to wash their hands several times, and someone is indignant, remembering their ancestors who sometimes lived with all the pets under one roof.

Therefore, I consider it necessary to add the following at the end:

Not all contact with the mentioned objects and surfaces leads to infection.
Not every feeling of ill health should be associated with such a touch.

But if you have no desire to play Russian roulette with your health or wonder where to attack, then just do not forget about the existence of dangerous surfaces, keep your house clean and observe the rules of personal hygiene. Nothing complicated.