Avoiding Dangerous Germ Exposures

Often our fears of exposure to deadly germs such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are ill-founded or exaggerated. An interesting piece in this weeks Wall Street Journal explores where we encounter the greatest risk of germ exposure and what to do about it. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703787204574440983321928144.html

The results are a little disheartening, germs are everywhere and the best single preventive is washing your hands after touching public surfaces or other humans. Other suggestions include avoiding touching flush handles and faucets in public restrooms with bare hands, washing towels and sheets in hot water with prompt drying and using disinfecting wipes on communal telephones, copiers and office machinery

The bottom line is that if you have to touch items used by others, whether its an elevator button, a stair railing or a coffee shop cream pitcher, don't use your bare hands and if you do wash them promptly.

Your own kitchen is the top source for food-borne illnesses estimated to kill more than 5,000 people per year. The culprits cutting boards, counter tops, sponges and utensils not properly sanitized.

As for MRSA,  Arizona researchers examined more than 113 offices in five cities and found 6% of them contained the super-bug mostly on phones, computer mice, desktops and the bottom of drawers. So wash your hands a lot at work.