Public Hot Spots for Germs: What You Touch Could Be Making You Sick

Public spaces may look harmless, but they’re often breeding grounds for germs. A new health feature highlights the dirtiest spots we touch every day—from fast-food touch screens carrying fecal bacteria, to restroom hand dryers that blast germs into the air, to swimming pools with surprising amounts of contamination. Even items we rarely think about, like restaurant menus, fruit wedges, and hotel remotes, can harbor harmful microbes. Gyms, playgrounds, and shopping carts also rank high on the list of hotspots where bacteria thrive. Experts say your best defenses are simple: wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, use sanitizing wipes where available, and think twice before handling shared surfaces.