How to avoid getting sick from germs in public places

Have you ever considered that your restaurant menus may carry germs? For that matter, have you ever seen anyone clean a restaurant menu?The Journal of Medical Virology posted a study that reported that flu and cold viruses can last for 18 hours on hard surfaces.Hundreds of people could be handling the same menu and passing germs onto you if you visit a popular restaurant.Be sure to wash your hands after you place an order.  Do not let your menu touch your plate or silverware.Here is an interesting, little-known fact about the lemon wedges restaurants place on the rims of glasses they serve you. In 2007, the Journal of Environmental Health posted a study that stated that close to 70 percent of the lemon wedges served on glasses contain disease-causing microbes, which include a variety of fetal bacteria and E-coli.To avoid getting sick, ask your server to refrain from putting lemon wedges or lime wedges on the rim of your drinking glass.Most people never consider condiment dispensers as vehicles for germs to spread.  Furthermore, most people don’t wash their hands before eating.Many eating establishments do not include cleaning condiment dispensers as part of the health regime.  You might be diligent and be one of the individuals who wash before eating; however, what about the person who used the dispenser before you.It’s recommended that you either use a disinfectant wipe or squirt some hand sanitizer on the outside of the condiment bottle before using it.View the list »
A woman wearing a surgical mask to prevent the transmission of airborne infection.

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In this day and age, it is important that we be aware and use preventive measures to help protect ourselves and avoid getting sick from germs in public places.

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Here's an interesting statistic. On average, an adult touches close to 30 objects in just one minute.

In high-traffic areas, most of the objects we touch harbor germs. Objects like doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, and phone receivers are prime locations and surfaces where germs migrate and grow.

In most cases, we can take measures to protect ourselves from getting sick from germs in our homes.

However, what happens if we go shopping at the grocery store or when we go out to dinner?

In order to avoid getting sick from germs in public places, it’s important that we know where germs lie in wait when we roam our communities.

The following list provides you some little known facts on what to look for and how to protect you and your family from getting ill from germs that lurk in places we frequent.

Click on View the list to get additional information for your safety.

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  • Most people never consider condiment dispensers as vehicles for germs to spread.  Furthermore, most people don’t wash their hands before eating.Many eating establishments do not include cleaning condiment dispensers as part of the health regime.  You might be diligent and be one of the individuals who wash before eating; however, what about the person who used the dispenser before you.It’s recommended that you either use a disinfectant wipe or squirt some hand sanitizer on the outside of the condiment bottle before using it.
  • Here is an interesting, little-known fact about the lemon wedges restaurants place on the rims of glasses they serve you. In 2007, the Journal of Environmental Health posted a study that stated that close to 70 percent of the lemon wedges served on glasses contain disease-causing microbes, which include a variety of fetal bacteria and E-coli.To avoid getting sick, ask your server to refrain from putting lemon wedges or lime wedges on the rim of your drinking glass.
  • Have you ever considered that your restaurant menus may carry germs? For that matter, have you ever seen anyone clean a restaurant menu?The Journal of Medical Virology posted a study that reported that flu and cold viruses can last for 18 hours on hard surfaces.Hundreds of people could be handling the same menu and passing germs onto you if you visit a popular restaurant.Be sure to wash your hands after you place an order.  Do not let your menu touch your plate or silverware.
  • In a 2007 study by the University of Arizona, researchers tested shopping cart handles and found that two-thirds of them contained fecal bacteria.  The bacteria on grocery carts are far greater than the germs found in the average restroom.Your best bet is to wipe the grocery cart handle with a disinfectant wipe.  Most stores are starting to have them available for you, so look around for a dispenser.
  • Most soap dispensers are never cleaned. Moreover, approximately 25 percent of public restroom soap dispensers are contaminated with fecal bacteria. In addition, dirty hands often touch the bottoms of the dispensers.  Consequently, millions of bacteria continue to grow.It’s critical to wash your hands with plenty of hot water for at least 15 to 20 seconds in order to kill the germs.  Additionally, if you have a hand-sanitizer, you should use it, as well.
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, Coudersport Healthy Living Examiner

George Zapo is certified in Public Health Promotion & Education (Kent State University). George focuses on providing sound advice on global, public and environmental health. Read more articles by George Zapo at "Healthy Habits" website: georgezapo.com

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