How To Cruise Through Winter Without Getting Sick

“Fingers are probably the germiest things we come in contact with,” says microbiologist Dr Philip Tierno, a world-renowned germ expert. “The more you touch, the greater your risk of picking up something.”

Indeed, research suggests that during the next hour, on average, you’ll touch your mouth eight times, your nose five times and your eyes three times. In between, you’ll touch all sorts of germy things – usually without washing or disinfecting your hands once. That’s a first-class ticket to getting sick, so try to stop touching your face altogether. Then follow these tips for handling the six worst breeding grounds for germs.

1. Gym Equipment
A study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found cold-causing viruses on 63 per cent of hand-contact surfaces on gym equipment. What’s worse, disinfecting twice daily didn’t lower the virus count, since plenty of people use the equipment between cleanings. So do it yourself. Scrub the treadmill’s touch pad, the bike’s handlebars, the handles on the dumbbells, and even the mats with an antibacterial wipe or two before exercising. You’re not being a hypochondriac; you’re being intelligently hygienic. Plus, it takes only seconds to do. Consider it a warm-up for your arm muscles!

2. Cash and credit
Yes, money is grubby. And so, surprisingly, are credit cards. Research shows stubborn germs can survive on plastic for weeks. To be safe, using payWave can limit germ exposure. As can using a pen or key to enter your details at ATMs (one study found they’re just as germ-infested as public toilets) or the edge of a credit or debit card to make selections on touch screens.

3. Bathroom
Norovirus, the leading cause of gastroenteritis, is spread through direct and indirect contact with faeces and vomit from an infected person. Eww! Worse, it takes just 18 particles of the virus to make you sick. Last winter gastro outstripped the flu in parts of Australia. And public restrooms are high-risk areas. When possible, choose one with automated toilets, taps and towel dispensers. A review of hand-washing research found paper towels to be more effective at preventing disease spread than hand dryers because they don’t spatter germs.

Discover more ways to stay avoid getting sick in the August/September issue of Prevention magazine.