15 Surprising Things That Have More Germs Than A Toilet Rim

Bath toys and shower curtains

Humidity and warmth make your bathroom an ideal breeding ground for germs, bacteria and fungi. A 2018 study found 75 million bacterial cells per square centimeter of various bath toys. The study also found fungi in 60% of the toys.

To reduce germs, buy bath toys that don't have a hole to let you fill them with water, rinse them regularly with disinfectant, and make sure they're completely dry after use.

Another study, published in 2014 in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, found that the surface of vinyl shower curtains can harbor a range of microbes, including methylobacteria (a group of bacteria that can cause infections). Clean your curtains regularly for the shower with disinfectant cleaners.

How long should you wash your hands to kill all germs?

Have you ever wondered why it is so important to use soap when you wash your hands? Few people know that soap does not kill bacteria, but removes them from the surface of the hands. The soap molecule solves two problems at once: it binds to water and dirt

Thanks to their sticky texture, the soap molecules draw germs out of depressions in the skin. After that, they are washed off with water, and the hands become clean.

Today, many companies are trying to convince us to buy antibacterial soap. In fact, this is a marketing ploy, thanks to which we overpay a significant amount for beautiful packaging with a convincing slogan and manufacturer's promise. Antibacterial ingredients do not add effectiveness. Therefore, do not overpay, but buy the most ordinary soap.

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Review

It all depends on the type of bacteria or virus and the surface they are on. Most pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi require moist conditions to live, so how long they can live outside the body depends from air humidity and surfaces.

Cold viruses

Cold viruses have been shown to live on indoor surfaces for over seven days. Generally speaking, viruses live longer on smooth (water resistant) surfaces such as stainless steel and plastic than on porous surfaces such as fabrics and fabrics. Although cold viruses can live on surfaces for several days, their ability to cause illness begins to decline after 24 hours.

On the surface of the hands, most cold viruses live much less. Some of them survive only a few minutes, but 40% of rhinoviruses, common cold pathogens, are still contagious on hands for an hour.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), another cold-like virus that sometimes causes severe illness in children, can live on the dinner table for up to six hours, on cloth and paper for 30-45 minutes, and on the skin for up to 20 minutes.

Influenza viruses

Influenza viruses are transmitted through the hands and infect the human body. On hard surfaces, they can live for 24 hours. Influenza viruses can live on tissue for only 15 minutes.

Like cold viruses, flu viruses live much less on the hands. After the influenza virus has been on the hands of a person for five minutes, its concentration decreases sharply.

Influenza viruses can live in droplets of moisture flying in the air for several hours, and in low temperatures they live even longer.

The parainfluenza virus, the causative agent of croup in children, can live for 10 hours on hard surfaces and up to four hours on soft surfaces.

Intestinal infections

Intestinal infections can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, C. difficile, and Campylobacter, as well as viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus.

Salmonella and Campylobacter can live for approximately 1-4 hours on hard surfaces and tissues, while norovirus and C. difficile can live much longer. According to one study, Clostridium difficile can survive for up to five months. Norovirus can live for days or even weeks on hard surfaces.

When a person infected with norovirus vomits, the virus spreads through the air in small droplets of moisture.

These droplets then land on surfaces and this is how the virus spreads, so it's important to wipe down all surfaces thoroughly if someone in your family has contracted norovirus.

To prevent the spread of an intestinal infection, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after you have gone to the bathroom. It is also necessary to maintain good food hygiene.

MRSA (Mecitillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium that causes MRSA infections, can live on surfaces for days or even weeks. MRSA bacteria can live longer on surfaces than some bacteria and viruses because they do better without moisture. MRSA bacteria generally live longer on hard surfaces than on soft ones.

Herpes

Herpes viruses from sores around the mouth can live for four hours on plastic, three on cloth, and two on skin. If you have herpetic fever, do not touch the blisters.If you do touch them, for example, to apply a cream for herpes, be sure to wash your hands. right after this.

Limiting the spread of infection

Avoiding infection is not always possible, but it is possible to reduce the risk of it and prevent other people from becoming infected. For this:

• Wash your hands regularly, especially after going to the toilet, before handling food, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• Keep your home clean, especially if one of your family members is sick.
• Wash fabrics that may have been contaminated by bacteria or viruses at a temperature of at least 60 ºC with a detergent containing bleach.

Bathrooms

You might be surprised to learn that bathrooms are only the 11th most dangerous place in the home, because bacteria thrive in humid environments and liquids in the bathroom are more than enough. However, being in the bathroom is relatively safe.

Of course, there are plenty of bacteria there, although they do not pose a particular threat, if you do it regularly house cleaning. It is recommended to wipe all surfaces in the bathroom with a disinfectant at least once a week. By the way, the place where the greatest number of bacteria accumulates in the bathroom are bathroom rugs. Clean or wash them regularly with disinfectants - just add them to any detergent.

HIV

Perhaps the greatest concern of mankind is caused by HIV infection. And it is with her that a huge number of myths are associated regarding the methods of infection. Many people believe that it can enter the body after touching the handrails in the subway or public transport.Others are sure that insects (mosquitoes, bedbugs, lice) can become a source of infection.

However, the results of numerous studies prove that in the external environment, HIV is an unstable infection. In open areas, 90-99% of the bacteria that cause the disease die within a few hours. In addition, such experiments use a higher concentration of HIV cells than it actually is. Because of this, scientists have come to the conclusion that it is almost impossible for a healthy person to become infected in the environment without sexual intercourse with an infected partner.

Outside the body, the fragile virus dies when exposed to rubbing alcohol, hot water, soap, and disinfectants.

If sexual intercourse without contraceptives is excluded, only infected syringes pose the greatest danger. In the needle, infected blood does not dry out for several days, and HIV pathogens can survive. That is why, for your own safety, you should use only disposable syringes and needles for medical and cosmetic equipment.

pathogens require favorable conditions for functioning and reproduction - the human body is an ideal place for them to live. Leaving the body, microorganisms and bacteria are incapable of active life. That is why STIs should not be feared by those who are vigilant and protected.

Common washing mistakes

• At the moment, there is a tendency to reduce the temperature and the amount of water consumed for washing, along with the use of neutral detergents, which, of course, has a positive effect on the effectiveness of laundering, but at the same time worsens the quality of removing harmful bacteria from clothes;
• A closed wash cycle also has a negative effect on the removal of harmful germs. If you load one dirty item into the washing machine, then during washing all the dirt from it will be distributed to the rest of the clothes around. Thus, a so-called "bacterial soup" is created in which the bacteria are "boiled" and multiply;
• It often happens that clothing or accessories contaminated with microbes that have direct contact with the body bring various viral diseases to a person. Bacteria inside the machine can also be the culprit in cross-contaminating laundry. Studies have confirmed that microbes that live inside washing machines accumulate in the water left over from washing;
• A low washing temperature is a good condition for the spread of bacteria. They especially love the compartment for washing powder and the sealing gum of the door. There is also a great risk of reproduction of harmful microorganisms during washing if you add some item of a sick family member. It is recommended to always separate underwear used by a sick person from the rest to avoid the spread of viral infections.

Can you flush toilet paper down the toilet?

Toilet paper can sometimes lead to clogged toilets. This applies primarily to older, more rigid types of toilet paper. Modern toilet paper tends to dissolve in water and can be thrown down the toilet.

When can you throw toilet paper?

• If the toilet is connected to the central sewer of an apartment building

• If the toilet is connected to a local sewer with a short route, where it dissolves with the help of active septic tanks.

When should you not throw toilet paper down the toilet?

• Paper ends up in the storage tank and does not go straight down the drain

• The local sewer contains twists and turns on the way to the reservoir

• The small diameter of the sewer pipe (less than 10 cm) and the length of the pipe is more than 5 meters.

Soul Grid

Last year, scientists from the Boston Simmons College Hygiene Center (USA) examined the bathrooms of several thousand volunteers and found Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in about a quarter of them. Microorganisms bred on the shower heads and with each inclusion of water fell on the skin of the owners of the apartments. They also took a liking to corners, crevices between tiles, shelf joints, drains and other "secluded" places that are difficult to clean and constantly wet.

What to do. Wash the bathroom with disinfectants once a week and constantly ventilate it to avoid moisture stagnation. If funds allow, you can install a small fan in the hood that will automatically work. every time you turn on the light. A cheaper option is to simply keep the bathroom door open.

Kitchen sink

As calculated by inquisitive English scientists, on one square On average, up to 80,000 bacteria live on a centimeter of surface near and inside a kitchen drain. Microorganisms happily feed on the remains of products, which are very, very difficult to completely wash off, and multiply rapidly in a fertile environment.

A lot of infection can also be found on the faucet, where dirt, splashes and, again, food waste get when washing dishes. But most of all, the infection loves non-drying and constantly dirty sponges and table rags: ironically, it is the cleaning products that become the most problematic sources of dirt.

What to do. Don't be lazy and clean the sink and faucet after every cooking or dishwashing. And not just rinsing with warm water: yes, water can wash away germs, but microorganisms will get stuck somewhere in the drain, begin to multiply and quickly get back to the surface. But detergents, gel-like or powder, will help kill the infection - as you wish.

And don't forget to rinse your sponges and rags after you've finished cleaning.

Know the enemy by sight

Humans are surrounded by harmful bacteria and viruses. The risk of facing them one on one is quite high. What microbes are the most dangerous?

Top 10 bacteria that destroy health:

Staphylococcus aureus. It is the causative agent of a number of dangerous infectious diseases. Causes sepsis, which is very difficult to treat with medication. It is especially dangerous during pregnancy for both the mother and the fetus.
Salmonella. It affects the gastrointestinal tract, causes general intoxication of the body. Symptoms of the disease can appear both immediately after infection, and after a few days. The source of infection are dairy products, meat, raw water. During pregnancy, severe dehydration can lead to miscarriage.
Tetanus stick. Causes a disease called tetanus. Infection is life-threatening because the bacterium releases an extremely toxic poison that paralyzes the nervous system.The pathogen feels great in the soil, especially in rural areas. The factor of infection is walking barefoot on the ground. If infection is suspected, people are given the tetanus toxoid vaccine.
Koch stick. It enters the body by airborne droplets and causes tuberculosis of the lungs, kidneys, lymph nodes, skin and bones. Clinical symptoms are blurred, so the population undergoes an annual examination for infection. During pregnancy, it can lead to dangerous damage to the lung tissue and respiratory failure.
Pale treponema. Causes the sexually transmitted disease syphilis. It is transmitted sexually or by household means. The incubation period is 3 weeks. During pregnancy, it leads to severe damage to the fetus, so early detection of the disease can save the unborn child.
Campylobacter. Causes severe food poisoning. Infection occurs when eating raw or poorly cooked chicken meat. It multiplies very quickly in the human digestive tract, so symptoms appear as early as 5 days after infection.
Helicobacter pylori. Localized on the walls of the stomach. Feels great in an acidic gastric environment. It is transmitted by contact from person to person through saliva. Causes erosion and ulcers that provoke heartburn, nausea, vomiting, intolerance to meat food. During pregnancy, the symptoms of the disease worsen, but are not a risk factor for the fetus. Treatment is with antibiotics and a careful diet.
Vibrio cholerae. It affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea and severe dehydration. May result in death of the patient.Infection occurs due to the consumption of contaminated water.
Salmonella enterica. It is the culprit of typhoid fever, which affects the abdominal organs with strong toxins. It feels great in fresh water, so it most often enters the body when drinking raw water. Typhoid fever is quite rare. However, we must not lose our vigilance

Particular attention is paid to patients during pregnancy. Because toxins can cause not only bleeding and premature birth, but also lead to the death of the mother.
Shigella

The causative agent of intestinal disease is dysentery. Well preserved in food and water. The carrier of the disease are people infected with shigella. In most cases, children are affected. The disease can be protracted up to 3-4 weeks.

Why should you lower the toilet lid before you flush?

Scientists have found that when flushing with the lid open water from the tank mixed with toilet water, and droplets rise up at least 10 centimeters. Naturally, they scatter around the bathroom and settle on everything, including the toilet paper roll and the floor. This is called "toilet plume".

Since in public toilets it is impossible to control who flushed and how, it is better not to put personal items on the floor or a tank, and at the end of the process, wash your hands with hot water and soap. The World Health Organization advises to slowly sing “Happy birthday to you” (well, or “Let them run awkwardly”) in order to detect the 20 seconds necessary for washing, and wash thoroughly between the fingers.

Text: Tamara Kolos

Cover art: Charles Deluvio

Computer mice and keyboards

You hardly think about the germs on your things that you use every day. For example, about the computer mouse and keyboard, which are used in our time, perhaps more than other things. Moreover, it is their people who clean either extremely rarely, or never at all.

As a result, a huge number of pathogens multiply near your computer. Of course, the frequency and diligence of cleaning plays a big role here.

This is really important, so take your time and do it carefully. Sprays cannot be used in this situation, so the only way out is to use cotton swabs dipped in disinfectant so that you can thoroughly clean the space between the keyboard buttons

Like everything else, a computer keyboard and mouse are recommended to be cleaned at least once a week.

Can this be flushed down the toilet?

1. Wet wipes

Wet wipes are a fairly popular hygiene item. Even though some manufacturers claim they can be flushed like toilet paper, these wipes create blockages and clog drains.

Many people do not want to throw wet wipes in the basket if they are using them for hygiene purposes. However, the fibers in wet wipes are much thicker than toilet paper and do not dissolve in water.

2. Condoms

They seem quite small and thin, but this latex product can contribute to the formation of so-called grease plugs in the drain. In addition, these products inflate easily, and if the condom is tied, it can fill with water and simply block the drain.

3. Cotton swabs

They're made of cotton, you think.In addition, they look very tiny, and are unlikely to clog pipes. Believe me, it's not. Over time, they simply accumulate in pipe bends, causing massive blockages.

4. Medicines

Do you need extra medication? Many people choose to protect themselves or their households by flushing medication down the toilet. However, this habit is very dangerous.

In the sewer, complex biological processes for the breakdown of waste products take place, and drugs interfere with these processes.

Antibacterial drugs create microbes that are resistant to antibiotics, enter water bodies, lakes, rivers and seas and have a detrimental effect on the inhabitants of the water, and subsequently on humans.

5. Paper napkins

Paper towels are much stiffer than toilet paper and do not dissolve as easily in water as toilet paper. Some types of paper towels are strong enough to hold a bowling ball, and even biodegradable types can lead to major clogs.

6. Cigarette butts

Not only do they spoil the view when they float in the toilet water, but they also contain many toxic chemicals, including tar and nicotine, which then end up in the plumbing and end up in our water.

7. Adhesive plasters

Adhesive plasters are made of plastic, which does not decompose in the environment.

They also have the ability to stick to other items in the sewer, and small lumps immediately turn into huge blockages. Throw them in the trash, that's where they belong.

Where is the most bacteria on the human body

Recently, researchers have been able to determine where most bacteria live on the human body. The results were very surprising, since these were not even the armpits, which were discussed earlier, but the sections of the arms from the wrist to the elbow.It was on this area of ​​the skin that scientists were able to detect 44 species of bacteria.

The study conditions assumed that all participants in the experiment would wash with the same soap for a week, and not wash at all on the last day. After that, they gave the researchers the opportunity to take swabs from all parts of the body for comparison. The experiment resulted in the discovery of about 100 different microorganisms. At the same time, most of the different bacteria were found on the skin area from the wrist to the elbow. This state of affairs is most likely due to the fact that this part of the hands often comes into contact with other objects. At the same time, few people wash their hands up to the elbows as often as their palms.

Scientists were also surprised that there were no more bacteria on oily areas of the skin, and even less than on dry ones. And the cleanest was the skin behind the ears. No more than 15 species of bacteria live in this place.

Where is the most bacteria outside the kitchen

Do not think that the kitchen is the most polluted place in the house and the surrounding area. There are many places that may seem quite clean to us, but in fact there can be a huge amount of bacteria. Where are these places?

A lot of bacteria hides in washing machines. This is not surprising, because we load dirty laundry there, and sometimes it can lie there for quite a long time without access to light and fresh air, which creates excellent conditions for the reproduction of bacteria.

Surprisingly, a lot of bacteria is hiding in our cars. A lot of bacteria on gear levers and on dashboards.Appropriate temperature and ventilation regimes, and the constant replenishment of bacteria brought on the hands, allow them to create very large colonies in these places.

The car interior is a place of increased bacterial danger

In general, the car interior is a rather dangerous place in relation to bacteria. Especially if small children often ride in it. Child car seats are another place of significant accumulation of bacteria. Children often scatter food, slobber chairs, smear it all with their hands, creating a unique environment for bacteria. Therefore, child seats must be cleaned as often as possible.

A lot of bacteria on handbags, wallets and phones. Often we put them next to us, without thinking about how clean the surface is. And we usually think about washing bags or disinfecting phones infrequently.

5 ways to disinfect

Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogens are all around us. They are invisible to the naked eye, but very dangerous. With insufficient disinfection, the likelihood of contracting an intestinal infection, SARS, tuberculosis, as well as diseases that other residents of the house suffer from, increases.

But how to get rid of germs in the apartment? There are 5 reliable ways:

1. Chemical means. Any solutions and products containing chlorine are suitable for disinfection: "Whiteness", "Sanita", "Shine" and others. Recent studies of sanitary and epidemiological control have proven that chlorine-containing solutions are the only household products known to modern science that can kill absolutely all germs and infections.

Wash.The fight against pathogens includes regular washing of underwear and bed linen, curtains, removable covers, soft toys.

Boiling. Most microbes die instantly in boiling water. This is the easiest and most reliable way to disinfect toys, tools, utensils, baby nipples and bottles.

Quartzization by ultraviolet radiation of a bactericidal lamp (recirculator). Microbial DNA molecules are destroyed when UV rays are absorbed. When treated for 15–20 minutes, viruses, bacteria, mold and fungi die in the air and on surfaces.

Air wash. The purifier and humidifier eliminates dust, bacteria, allergens and other harmful substances in the air. The sink passes air through the filter, which is a tangible advantage over the classic humidifier.

Vehicles

Avoid touching public transport tables and seats, window shades, and buttons that control lighting functions and seat tilt. These surfaces are always touched by many travelers who may not have the cleanest hands.

Wipe down buttons, controls and curtains before use and immediately after you sit in your seat. Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Such healthy habits will help protect not only you, but others from infection, as well as stop the transfer of bacteria. The habit of solidary hygiene is very beneficial for you and others.

But don't think that just because you use disinfectants, you can't get sick.

Periodically wipe the car surfaces with alcohol-based wipes.And if you take a taxi, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching door handles and other parts of the cabin.

Study

It is rather difficult to accuse the British scientists who conducted the study with the sampling of microbiological material of their bias or the submission of deliberately false information. Since the work tested samples taken from three thousand mobile devices belonging to average citizens. From the surface of each gadget, the researchers took a swab and counted the varieties of bacteria. The researchers also took swabs from 100 public toilets in London.

This is many times less, but it does not affect the importance of the study.

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After comparing analyzes taken from smartphones and toilets, the researchers concluded that the number of harmful microorganisms on mobile phones is 18 times higher. Among the samples studied were devices so contaminated that it was strange that their owners had not yet ended up in a hospital bed with an intestinal disorder. Among other things, the researchers found salmonella, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus on mobile devices. These are dangerous bacteria that can cause diseases such as meningitis, skin infections, pneumonia, and acute gastrointestinal disorders.

Waste water is a threat to health

The main disadvantage of private housing construction is the lack of sewerage. Containers in which domestic wastewater accumulates are the best environment for pathogenic bacteria.This is easy to verify by looking at a photo with an enlarged image of the inhabitants of wastewater. In addition, bacterially dirty effluent enters the soil and groundwater, infecting plants on the site. Under such conditions, the likelihood of bacterial contamination on human skin and subsequent infection of the body is very high.

Is there any way out? Yes. This is the use of a septic tank (sump). As can be seen from the layout in the photo, it is a container of several internal communicating chambers with partitions. Most often, septic tanks with two or three compartments are used. This is a simple design with a pipe for the entry of domestic wastewater and the withdrawal of purified liquid. A septic tank allows you to design your own sewer system on your site with your own hands.

The system operation model is as follows:

1. Domestic sewage through a pipe system enters the first chamber of the septic tank.
2. In it, the contents are settled with separation into the liquid part and sediment.
3. Further, the liquid and suspended particles flow into the second compartment of the septic tank.
4. Here it is cleaned by bacteria that break down the incoming organic matter.
5. In the third section of the septic tank (if any), the treated waters settle and are brought out.

The degree of purification depends on the contamination and composition of wastewater, on the installed model of the septic tank, on the number of chambers and on the type of bacteria used in bioenzymatic preparations.

Settling sludge must be removed from the sump 1-2 times a year. The liquid obtained at the outlet of the septic tank must undergo soil post-treatment. The use of a sump allows you to achieve urban comfort on cottage without the need for constant pumping drains.

How to wipe?

First you need to disconnect your smartphone from the network and turn off the power. If there is a cover, remove it and spray a little of the selected product from a distance of 20-30 cm or moisten a cloth with it. After that, the gadget is wiped from all sides. Do not apply too much liquid to the fabric, otherwise excess moisture may get into the speakers or the charging socket. You do not need to open the back of the device, only the outer surfaces are to be cleaned.

If you are used to using a cover, it should be removed at least once a week and treated with a cotton pad soaked in an alcohol solution.

Pay attention to the protective film. Dirt accumulates around its perimeter, and bacteria are concentrated in scratches on the case.

The display is constantly in contact with the face during a conversation, so germs get on the skin

Therefore, it is important to update the film more often.

Try not to share your device with other people. Just because you're used to washing your hands after going to the toilet doesn't mean everyone does. Therefore, the less often strangers use your gadget, the better.

Conclusion

Of course, a thorough hand-washing technique will help clean your hands and eliminate some of the bacteria on their surface. But if you think about it, in 30 seconds you can not only eliminate germs, but also dry your hands. If you have dry skin, do not increase the washing time to 30 seconds, but limit yourself to 15. Just thoroughly lather the brushes and carefully treat the areas between the fingers, as well as the places under the nails and cuticles. Only in this way you can remove the maximum number of bacteria and protect your body from the penetration of pathogenic microbes into it, potential pathogens.

Be sure to wash your hands after contact with other people and after using public transport. Remember that even a simple handshake can cause illness. Do not forget about the hygiene procedure after the toilet, especially after the public one. It is best to dry your hands with a towel. Additional friction will enhance the effect of the hygiene procedure and eliminate residual bacteria.