The 7 Germiest Public Places

Avoid touching these surfaces in public places to stay healthy.

Excerpt from The List Maker’s Get-Healthy Guide, By the Editors of Prevention

An average adult can touch as many as 30 objects within a minute, including germ-harboring, high-traffic surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs, phone receivers, and remote controls. At home, you do all that you can to keep the germs at bay. But what happens when you step out the door to go to dinner, do some grocery shopping, or visit the doctor’s office? Know where germs are most likely to lurk, as you’ll find out here.

1. Restaurant menus

Have you ever seen anyone wash off a menu? Probably not. A recent study in the Journal of Medical Virology reported that cold and flu viruses can survive for 18 hours on hard surfaces. If it’s a popular restaurant, hundreds of people could be handling the menus–and passing their germs on to you. Never let a menu touch your plate or silverware, and wash your hands after you place your order. Or use antibacterial wipes.

The worst places for your health.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sue G.

1:28PM PST on Feb 15, 2012

I can't believe it. From the time my husband and I met 44 years ago, He's said I'm far too fussy, something wrong with me for worrying about germs and that I'm probably a bit obsessive about washing my hands. I can't wait to show him this article. I could have written this myself, as every single point bar one has been a pet hate of mine for donkey's years. The only one I didn't know about was the lemon slices in drinks. (though I suppose it's equivalent to the salted peanuts placed on bars). I've never thought that I'm obsessive, except in public toilets. I've used paper towels to open doors and to turn off the taps after washing my hands since I was a kid. No one ever told me to do that, I've always done it since I first noticed people walk out of the toilets without washing their hands, and thought what dirty buggers they were. I maintain that I wouldn't have to be so obsessive about being clean in public toilets, if others weren't so obsessive about being dirty. I realise that it's natural to have some germs in our bodies. When my kids were young, they'd be out playing all day in the dirt, and with the dog. That never bothered me in the least. I just made sure they washed their hands before eating. I do carry antibacterial hand wash to use before eating when I'm out, and also when I walk the dogs, and pick up the poop and put it in the dog bins provided. Must admit it turns my stomach to touch the lids of those bins. But as for inside my home, I give it a good

send a green star

Marvela P.

1:11PM PDT on Sep 8, 2011

Other places that were not mentioned if you share a workspace is the phone and keyboard or mouse! I keep alcohol wipes at my desk just for these areas. I've heard that some of us that won't take a real lunch break, but eat at our desk are housing plenty of germ on the desk surface, too!

Joy J.

1:50PM PDT on Sep 1, 2011

Darn it. I love those lemon wedges and the free food samples :(

Kerensa M.

3:17AM PDT on Aug 28, 2011

lemon wedges? never would have guessed.

Spoorthi B.

2:03AM PDT on Aug 19, 2011

hi everyone, please sign this petition and help
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/heidi---a-girl-of-the-alps/

Hana S.

2:55PM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

thank you! this is why i do have a wet tissues in my bag... but to be sure i have to buy these with alcool.....

KrassiAWAY B.

3:02AM PDT on Aug 12, 2011

Good to know.

Richard E C.

2:50AM PDT on Aug 10, 2011

I am not a germaphobe but I am glad that you included lemon wedges, I send back water if they put a lemon wedge on it. Why would I want a unwashed fruit peel in my water. And I also glad that you included menus!

Past Member .

1:49PM PDT on Aug 8, 2011

warehouses, sorry spell check drives me nuts

1:48PM PDT on Aug 8, 2011

Lemon wedges with the peel can be a problem lemon without , not so bad. The peel as with all fruit has been stored in wearhouses along with any bugs, insects, roaches and rats which live there, shipped, stored in bins at the local wear house complete with all of the above mentioned things, dumped in containers, consumer picked through, child coughed on, etc. so unless you have washed that fruit or veggie before you start munching you have alot of extra goodies will come with that.