12 Public Surfaces to Possibly Give You the Flu

Have you gotten your flu shot? If you haven’t, is it because you don’t feel they are effective?

When you think about it, the worst time of the year to get sick with the flu is the holiday season because this is the time when people catch up and get together. Although the Centers for Disease Control has estimated that flu shots were effective in 70 to 90 percent of adults, a new study by University of Minnesota researchers released a study this week which states that influenza vaccine only protects only 59 percent of adults under 65. Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the University’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy and his team of researchers have read over 5,700 articles on the influenza vaccinations over the past 40 years and chose 31 articles which provided the most accurate estimates for influenza vaccinations in the United States.

Other facts found by the research team include that the nasal spray vaccination for children 6 months of age to 7 years old was 83 percent effective. The H1N1 vaccine was 69 percent effective.

So other than staying home, living in a cave or moving to a deserted island, the fight to stay healthy during the flu season is on. Not all people will get preventive care like annual flu shots or getting physical exams. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), about 98 million Americans get sick with the flue each year. Surprisingly enough, 36,000 flu-related deaths occur each year. The 7^th leading cause of death in the United States is the flu virus.

Just by getting out in the world, you will find that it is easy to come in contact with surfaces that will make you ill. Keep in mind that these surfaces work against you throughout your day, but be aware of them. No one likes getting the flu, and here are only some of the surfaces that could give it to you:

Purses, Wallets, Luggage, and Gym Bags

Although we use these items on a daily basis, they never seem to get put in the wash. In fact, they happen to be great carriers for germs. Women take their purses everywhere. Without thinking about it, the purses are left on all surfaces, including the floors of public restrooms. Bacteria breeds in warm places, so men who carry wallets usually have them tucked away in their pockets and close to their bodies. Gym bags are the perfect places for dirty clothing and gym shoes. They also collect germs in lockers, locker room floors, and other warm, moist places on the gym’s floor. What about luggage? Depending on where in the world you've been, who knows what you'll be bringing home besides cheap souvenirs?

Money

Money in the form of paper currency passes through so many hands. Whether you save it or spend it, money has its share of germs. No one ever thinks of sterilizing it.

Gas Pumps

People always stop for gas, but whoever thinks to clean the keypad or the pump handles?

Telephones

The germs are sure to collect on the telephone. Not only do we hold the phone to our ear, we talk into the mouthpiece and could possibly leave our saliva.

Elevator Buttons

In a crowded elevator, ask someone to hit the button for you. If you are alone, simply hit the button with your knuckle or elbow. Better that than using your fingertip.

Doorknobs

Do you ever wonder why you even wash your hands before leaving a public restroom? You still have to deal with opening the door. You can either use a tissue to open the door or you can either use an alcohol-based hand cleaner after walking out of the restroom.

Drinking Fountains

A study by the not-for-profit consumer organization, NSF International, claims that drinking fountains contain up to 2.7 million bacteria cells per square inch. Moist surfaces can harbor bacteria, and studies have shown that water fountains harbor more bacteria than a toilet seat.

Soda Fountain

It is convenient to get your own soda and all the refills you want, isn’t it? But how often does that soda machine get cleaned? During the day, you have people getting refills, and the germs from their reusable cups are transferred to the machine. Although you are given a clean cup, there is no telling who you are really sharing your drink with.

Escalator and Stair Rails

You automatically use the rails whenever using the escalator or maneuvering yourself up and down stairs. Plenty of people have the same idea, so you can only imagine how many germs end up on those surfaces.

Supermarket Cart Handles

There is hope when it comes to supermarket carts. Many supermarkets now have sanitizing areas where customers may wipe down their cart handles with disinfectants before they go through their shopping experience.

Doctor’s Offices, Waiting Rooms and Hospitals

These places deal with the sick. And while waiting to see the doctor, sick people gather in waiting rooms until they are called in. In public, you will see hospital staff in scrubs, rushing to grab a bite to eat or shopping during their breaks and lunch hours. So where have they been and who have they been around? They’re carrying germs in that uniform and their shoes.

Hotel and Motel Rooms

In recent years, the media has given the American public word on how unsanitary hotel and motel rooms really are. Items in these rooms which are associated with germs include the television remote, the bedspread, the shower, ice container, glasses, and the mini bar.

As you go through your day, there are so many surfaces that you touch without thinking about it. Since other people also touch these same surfaces, there is no telling what germs you will come in contact with. Protect yourself in the war against the flu. Wash your hands frequently and don’t hesitate to carry a hand sanitizer to use. After all, germs are not going to call out to you that they are present.