Just because it looks clean doesn’t mean it’s free of bacteria, allergens or worse. From sponges to pillows to toothbrushes, here’s what you should throw out and when.

In the Bedroom: Pillow

Stash it, but wash and cover it. Your head propper piles up gross sweat, drool, dander and dust mites. But instead of throwing it away, invest in a washable allergy case, which blocks mites and their leftovers, advises Amy Newburger, M.D., a dermatologist in Scarsdale, New York. Wash pillows every few months and change linens weekly, and you can rest easy.

In the Bedroom: Mattress

Trash it every 8 to 10 years. Over time, the many hours you spend in bed wear down your mattress’s springs and support, says Michael Schaufele, M.D., a physiatrist at The Emory Spine Center. Head off the hurt: Research has shown that switching out old mattresses can help relieve pain and stiffness.

In Your Gym Bag: Earbuds

Stash for as long as they work. Keep on rockin’! Wipe earbuds weekly with an alcohol swab, and store them away from dirty sneakers, Scott advises. Dr. Newburger suggests using buds with foam covers that you can swap out when they look grungy. If you get ear infections, headphones that rest around the ears cut down on germs.

In Your Gym Bag: Sports Bra

Stash until it stretches. As long as you are still supported, sweat’s the big issue: The combo of moisture and friction can irritate sensitive skin, Dr. Newburger says. A wash fixes it. Ladies who don’t sweat heavily can air-dry their bras between workouts and machine- or hand-wash after three uses. Heavy sweaters should wash bras each time.

In the Bathroom: Toothbrush

Trash it after three to four months. Rinse it well and dry it upright, and your brush should stay clean. But do replace it when bristles fray, which can make brushing less effective, the American Dental Association says.

In the Bathroom: Loofah 

Trash it every three months. As you exfoliate, your loofah collects skin, which bacteria snack on. Launder it every week or two, and buy a new one every season, Dr. Newburger says. Or skip it entirely: Your hands and a body scrub smooth skin equally well.

In the Bathroom: Metal Nail File

Stash it. You only need to worry about germs on files if you have a skin infection or damage around the nail, says Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., professor of biology at Simmons College. If so, disinfect a file with alcohol before each use. Emery boards get dull before they get overly buggy.

In the Kitchen: Sponge

Trash it every 30 days. Your sponge soaks up juices from raw foods and breed bugs, says Charles Gerba, Ph.D., professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona. Toss it in the dishwasher, laundry or microwave (for 30 seconds while wet) weekly, and adios it after a month.

In the Kitchen: Plastic Container

Trash it when you spot wear. Avoid microwaving plastic ware or putting it in the dishwasher, as both can cause potentially hazardous chemicals to leach out, advises Patricia Hunt, Ph.D., professor in the school of molecular biosciences at Washington State University in Pullman. Hand-wash instead. When it gets brittle, discoloured or beat up, toss or recycle it and replace it with glass.

In the Kitchen: Reusable Grocery Bag

Stash it. Go green and clean. Reusing dirty cloth bags, which can carry fecal bacteria from raw meat and unwashed vegetables, “is like carrying your groceries in your underwear,” Gerba says. (Thanks for the mental image!) Luckily, washing by machine or hand reduces bag-teria by more than 99.9 percent, according to Gerba’s research.

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Since our bodies are made up of 10 times more bacteria than actual human cells, it’s no surprise that an act of physical intimacy such as kissing would result in a germy exchange. “Kissing really has a purpose, and in doing so, there is an exchange of microorganisms,” says Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr., Director of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at the NYU Langone Medical Center. What this purpose may be however, is a matter of some contention.

Why Kiss?

According to a team of British scientists, kissing may be an important part of building up our immune systems — specifically for women during pregnancy and childbirth. A 2009 study, led by medical researcher Dr. Colin Hendrie and published in the journal Medical Hypotheses, concluded that smooching was a key way for women to build up an immunity to cytomegalovirus — a virus that can cause significant harm to a fetus in-utero (although it is harmless otherwise).

“Female innoculation with a specific male’s cytomegalovirus is most efficiently achieved through mouth-to-mouth contact and saliva exchange, particularly where the flow of saliva is from the male … to the female,” Hendrie told The Daily Mail. This also suggests that the longer a woman kisses the same person, the more likely she is to be immune to cytomegalovirus if she gets pregnant. So ladies, you may want to consider making out with your partner for at least six months before jumping to childbearing.

However, not everyone believes that germ-exchange was the primary, evolutionary driving force behind the practice of human kissing. Dr. Tierno has a different take. Although he concedes that the exchange of germs that occurs can be helpful to the human immune response, he says that this is simply a byproduct of kissing — not the intention. Instead, he hypothesizes that kissing originated as a way for parents to feed their young. “Early humans, they knew nothing about the immune system, yet they were kissing,” he told The Huffington Post. “It originated by most authorities, from the direct mouth-to-mouth regurgitation of food.” This practice can still be seen in the animal kingdom — the most obvious example that comes to mind is birds. And inevitably, if food is exchanged via the mouth, so are germs.

Good Germs Or Bad Germs?

Since we have such a plethora of bacteria residing both on and in our bodies (a recent study estimates that up to 500 different types of bacteria could be residing on our skin at any given point), it makes sense that most of the time this microbial flora is completely harmless. According to Dr. Tierno, only 1 percent of all known species of microbial flora are overtly pathogenic. The rest are quite innocuous. “For the main part of kissing, you do exchange flora,” says Tierno. “Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad [and] sometimes it means nothing.”

Where kissers should beware though, may seem pretty obvious. If your partner is visibly sick, you should probably take a break from physical intimacy. Although very few diseases are actually transmitted from what Tierno terms “deep kissing,” pathogens that cause conditions such as mono, strep throat and herpes can easily be exchanged orally. Additionally, if you or your partner have open sores or lesions in and on your mouths, kissing should absolutely be avoided. The one case of oral HIV-passage that Dr. Tierno could recall, occurred because both parties had gum disease.

And even though you may love them, just avoid kissing your pets altogether. “[Dogs] can carry worms, fungi and they can carry [pathogenic] pastuerella in their mouths,” says Tierno. “Although cats are worse.”

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This US Study shows that practicing good hand hygiene has a significant effect on the overall health of Uni students living in residence halls.

BACKGROUND:

Several studies have indicated a connection between hand sanitisation and infection control in numerous settings such as extended care facilities, schools, and hospitals. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of both a hand-hygiene message campaign and the use of an alcohol gel hand sanitiser in decreasing the incidence of upper-respiratory illness among students living in university residence halls.

METHOD:

This study involved a total of 430 students recruited from 4 residence halls during the fall semester at the University of Colorado at the Boulder campus. Dormitories were paired into control and product groups. In the product groups, alcohol gel hand-sanitiser dispensers were installed in every room, bathroom, and dining hall. The data were statistically analysed for the differences between product and control groups in reported symptoms, illness rates, and absenteeism from classes.

RESULTS:

The overall increase in hand-hygiene behaviour and reduction in symptoms, illness rates, and absenteeism between the product group and control group was statistically significant. Reductions in upper respiratory-illness symptoms ranged from 14.8% to 39.9%. Total improvement in illness rate was 20%. The product group had 43% less missed school/work days.

CONCLUSION:

Hand-hygiene practices were improved with increased frequency of hand washing through increasing awareness of the importance of hand hygiene, and the use of alcohol gel hand sanitiser in university dormitories. This resulted in fewer upper respiratory-illness symptoms, lower illness rates, and lower absenteeism.

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Be warned – your child will bring home more than just new textbooks when they return to school this term.

Germs, bullying and backaches are just some of the problems facing youngsters in the playground. Sick days can’t always be avoided but you can help protect your child’s health and wellbeing when school goes back.

Colds

Most young children catch between eight to 10 respiratory illnesses every year. It usually peaks within two years of starting childcare, kindergarten or school. Around 200 different viruses are responsible for the common cold. Symptoms include sneezing, sore throat and runny nose. You may need to see a doctor to rule out tonsillitis or an ear infection.

The good news is there should be fewer sick days by primary school as the immune system strengthens, says paediatrician Dr Jonny Taitz from the Sydney Children’s Hospital.

Unwell youngsters should stay at home, even if this is an inconvenience.

“It can be tough for working parents but your child will not be in a good condition to learn and it will only pass on the germs,” Dr Taitz says.

Hand washing is another way to stop the spread of illness. Ideally it should be in warm soapy water for 10 to 15 seconds (about the same time it takes to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) after using the toilet, coughing or sneezing.

“It is really a life saving lesson that parents need to teach children,” Dr Taitz says.

Give children tissues instead of a handkerchief and remind them to throw these out once used. Make sure they never share water bottles with others. Dosing up on Vitamin C won’t stop you catching a cold, but research shows it can make the duration shorter – but be careful not to overdose. The National Health and Medical Research Council says, children aged 4-8 years need 35mgs of Vitamin C per day, and children aged 9-13 years around 40mgs.

 Good sources of Vitamin C include blackcurrants, guava, citrus, kiwi fruit, broccoli and sprouts.

Back pain

According to the Chiropractors Association of Australia there is a link between carrying heavy schoolbooks as kids and spinal problems in adulthood.

Ensure your child’s school bag is no wider than their chest and can evenly distribute the weight across the back. It should not weigh more than 10 per cent of their body weight and needs to be worn on both shoulders.

The CAA also recommends putting the heaviest items to the back of the bag, close to the spine, and only pack what is needed. High school students should be encouraged to use a locker to store heavy books and excess items.

Conjunctivitis

Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis (or pink eye) is highly infectious and if caught, children should stay at home until the condition has cleared. It causes an infection and swelling of the eye membrane that requires gentle bathing and possibly antibiotic drops.

Children can catch conjunctivitis from sharing pillows, face cloths or glasses, or coming into direct contact with another child with the infection. To avoid catching conjunctivitis, children should avoid touching the eye area with dirty hands, and washing hands with an antibacterial wash is recommended. If caught, bed linen needs to be washed thoroughly in hot water and detergent. And stay out of the swimming pool as it could spread infection, says Dr Taitz.

Bullying

If you suspect your child is experiencing problems at school, take the time to sit down and chat. Warning signs for bullying include missing belongings, loss of confidence, personality changes, truancy, angry or teary outbursts and a lack of enthusiasm to go to school.

Kids Helpline general manager Wendy Protheroe says parents need to understand their child may be reluctant to talk about what is going on in the playground. “Develop ways to respond to the bully and try to buffer the impact of bullying by increasing other positive experiences,” she says.

Talk with the class teacher and also find out the school’s anti-bullying policies.

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Why does it always seem when we need them the most our beaches are swimming more with bacteria than people?

BACTERIA counts rose to their highest levels for the season across Bayside and Kingston beaches last week, with the EPA declaring several beaches unsafe for swimming.

Environment Protection Authority samples showed poor water quality across many beaches, with bacteria levels higher than the 400 organisms per 100ml of water benchmark deemed safe for swimming.

EPA spokeswoman Tanya O’Shea said last week’s rainfall caused the spike.

“This is due to run-off from rainfall and stormwater, which deposits litter, debris and even dog droppings onto the local beach,” she said.

The EPA tests measured enterococci, or e.coli, which is the bacteria found in faecal matter from animals and humans.

E.coli levels above the 400 organism mark showed up throughout the bay last week, including readings of 510 at both Mordialloc and Beaumaris. Mordialloc recorded levels of just 10 the previous week and 10 in the same week last year. Beaumaris recorded 160 the previous week and less than 10 in the same week last year.

Hampton levels jumped from 20 organisms on January 2 to 460 last week.

Bacteria levels were better in Brighton, with less than 10 organisms recorded during mid-week testing.

The EPA has four water quality ratings: good, fair, poor and unacceptable.

The EPA advises against swimming when water is rated ‘‘poor’’. When water is rated ‘‘fair’’, it is deemed acceptable for swimming.

Beaches around Bayside and Kingston ranged from fair to poor last week.

Ms O’Shea advised people not to swim near stormwater drains and rivers for 24 to 48 hours after rain.

The EPA provides summaries on its website, at epa.vic.gov.au/beachreport

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From telephones to doorknobs to books, germs can get on anything and spread quicker than a sneeze.

The bad news is that some of the most common items can be the nastiest when it comes to germs. The good news is there are ways to reduce continually spreading those germs and thus reducing the likelihood of illness.

“You’re not going to prevent spreading (germs),” said Don Roush, a microbiologist at the University of North Alabama. “What we need to do is to try and keep the number (of germs) on your hands down. That’s the best way to keep from spreading germs.”

There are items that people come in contact with every day that contain millions of germs and bacteria.

“Germs are transported very easily, so they are everywhere,” said Kristi Reece, a registered nurse practitioner with UNA’s Health Center. “We need some small amount of bacteria; we just don’t want too much and not share with each other.”

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control, the top dirtiest items that people touch every day include money, light switches, computer keyboards, cellphones and toilet seats.

“Most of these things we touch … multiple times,” Roush said. “Paper money is the world’s worse thing to carry germs, and that’s because it’s handled and handled and handled, and as long as it’s in circulation, those germs that come from being handled will spread.”

Other dirty items include shopping carts, remote controls, bathtubs, kitchen sinks and kitchen sponges.

There is a simple way to keep from spreading these germs.

“Wash your hands with soap and water, and do it frequently,” Reece said. She said CDC officials recommend scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds.

“Sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice,” she said. “That should give the amount of time to kill the germs and bacteria on your hands.”

Roush said if soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. And a good way to reduce the likelihood those germs will make you ill is to keep your hands away from your nose, mouth and eyes.

“Don’t lick your fingers when you count money or turn the pages in a book,” Roush said. “If you do, you’re getting the germs from whoever has touched the money or the book before you. Or if you drop your pen or pencil on the floor, don’t pick it up and put it in your mouth.”

Reece said during the holidays, where there are large crowds and a lot of socializing, sneezing or coughing into your elbow helps stop the spread of germs and bacteria.

“Be mindful — if you are sick, don’t cough in your hand and then shake hands with someone or pat them on the back,” Reece said.

“There are micro-organisms around us. You can’t avoid them, but you can lesson the spread of them if you just take a few simple steps,” Roush said.

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The message is pretty simple – put the lid down when you flush and help prevent germs invading your bathroom.

Put a lid on it. That is the conclusion of research examining the amount of Clostridium difficile that flies into the air and contaminates surrounding surfaces with the flush of a lidless toilet.

The investigation, published online December 2 in the International Journal of Hospital Infection, is the work of E. L. Best from the Microbiology Department, Old Medical School, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospital National Health Service Trust, United Kingdom, and colleagues. Using fecal suspensions of C difficile, the researchers measured airborne suspension of the bacteria in addition to surface contamination by the bacteria after flushing of both lidless and lidded toilets.

Air samples 25 cm above the commode, which is about the height of the handle, contained C difficile, with the highest numbers coming from samples taken immediately after flushing. The number of viable bacteria declined 8-fold within an hour, from 36 colony-forming units (cfu) collected at seat height to 8 cfu, and by 90 minutes, the number fell to 3 cfu. Surrounding surfaces were contaminated within 90 minutes of flushing, with relatively large droplets released in the immediate environment. The mean number of droplets was between 15 and 47, depending on toilet design, the report states.

Researchers also found the number of viable bacteria to be 12-fold higher from open toilets compared with the same toilet when the lid was closed. They collected 35 cfu at seat height within 30 minutes of flushing an open toilet, but only 3 cfu at seat height within 30 minutes of flushing a lidded commode.

Even with the implementation of strict disinfecting protocols, the authors write, C difficile clusters continue to spring up in healthcare settings, prompting a search for unaddressed contamination sources. Research published in 2008 and 2010, in BMC Infectious Diseases and Clinical Infectious Diseases, respectively, revealed a potential for aerial dissemination of C difficile, especially from patients with recent onset of diarrhea.

“Our study is the first to investigate the effect of a lid closure on the aerosolization and deposition of C difficileassociated with toilet flushing,” the authors write.

Previous studies that suggested a low probability of environmental contamination from hospital toilets did not use anaerobes or spore-forming bacteria, the authors state. “Notably, there was a 100-fold variation in the magnitude of airborne bacteria released when toilets were flushed, depending on which bacterial species was examined,” the authors write.

To collect air samples, researchers clamped sampling tubes at 3 heights above a toilet bowl that had been thoroughly cleaned, inside and out, before the experiment. The tube air sampler was placed at toilet seat height, at 10 cm above the seat, and at handle height (25 cm) above both lidded and opened commodes. In addition, agar plates selective for C difficile were placed atop the toilet tank, to the right and left of the toilet seat, and on the floor around the toilet.

In separate experiments to determine the extent of droplets created by flushing, researchers added food coloring to 10 different toilets and stretched a sheet of cling film across the top of the seat before flushing. After flushing, they placed the cling film on filter paper and counted the droplets.

When the lid was closed, researchers recovered no C difficile from agar plates on any surface. With the lid open, bacteria were recovered at all sampling plates except those on the left side of the toilet, which the authors say may be a result of the hydrodynamics of the flush. Researchers found a mean of 1 to 3 cfu/plate.

“Lidless conventional toilets increase the risk of C. difficile environmental contamination, and thus we suggest that their use is discouraged, particularly in settings where [C. difficile infection] is common,” the authors conclude.

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Long nails have always been an expression of beauty, but a new study released today suggests that beauty is not always healthy.

In a study released at the Infectious Disease Society of America meeting in San Francisco, researchers found that artificial and natural nails longer than 3 millimeters beyond the tip of the finger, or the length of a pencil tip, carry more harmful bacteria and yeast under them than short nails.

A number of deadly, infectious outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units that were linked to long nails prompted the research.

The fingernails of 18 health-care workers were tested. Results showed that all of the workers with long nails harboured bacteria and yeast compared to 18 percent of those with short nails.

Two germs found under many of the workers nails were Klebsiella, a bacteria that can cause pneumonia and urinary tract infections, and Candida parapsilosis, a yeast that can cause wound and blood stream infections.

Expert Advice

Dr. Carol A. Kauffman, co-author of the study and professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan, says that most people do not wash their hands well enough to get rid of all of the germs.

“It is recommended that people spend 15 seconds washing their hands, and most people don’t spend even half that time,” Kauffman says.

The findings indicate the need for further research that focuses on a number of other professions.

“The results show that there are implications for workers in other areas, such as day care workers, food handlers and even new mothers, but no one has yet studied these populations,” says Kauffman. “If problems can occur in the health care industry, it makes you think about what can happen elsewhere.”

Kauffman suggests that people be extra attentive to their nails when washing and get underneath them to make sure that they are clean.

However, even thorough hand washing is not 100 percent effective in ridding the nails of germs.

“The best solution is to simply keep nails short,” Kauffman says.

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Click here for an Australian study  What really lives under the nails we chew?

With cute, strappy summer sandals comes dirty, asphalt-colored feet and a lovely “tan line” of grime where an ankle strap once rested.

After finding out what your feet have picked up — a seriously unappetizing stew of germs — you may be ready to ditch your Havaianas for a pair of knee-high boots.

“When walking on the street in something like thongs, you are exposing your foot to vomitus, human waste, dog feces, sputum expectorated by people — some of whom may have microbacteria — and a wide variety of other things like food or liquids that have been brewing in the hot sun,” says Philip Tierno, Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Langone Medical Center and author of “Secret Life of Germs.”

The kind of germs you find on city streets, he says, include norovirus (that scourge of cruise ship passengers), staph aureus, types of strep, E. coli and drug-resistant superbugs like Pseudomonas, Klebsiella pneumonia and MRSA. “The summer heat,” he adds, “acts like an incubator.”

If your feet have cuts or open blisters, you may unknowingly be laying out a welcome mat to the viruses and bacteria stuck to the street. But even if you’re abrasion-free, you can transfer all of that nasty stuff the moment you handle your flip-flops when you slip them off or drop them in your bag to change into heels.

Tierno explains, “You’re exposed to something even worse — these organisms on your hands.” According to Dr. Tierno, 80 percent of all infectious diseases are transmitted by direct or indirect touching — kissing or picking up a dirty shoe — then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

But before you reserve a spot in the nearest plastic bubble, there is good news. “Your skin is built to protect you from getting infected by its very nature,” says Jeannette Graf, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. The dead skin layer known as the stratum corneum is thickest on the hands and feet and is considered your body’s first line of defense. “Our skin makes antimicrobial peptides that fight against bacteria and viruses and lots of different pathogens,” explains Dr. Graf.

And there are several steps you can take to prevent your tootsies from transferring germs to your hands. Shoe designer Matt Bernson, whose creations are worn by actress Amanda Seyfried and model Gisele Bundchen, has a suggestion for the legions of women who swap out their shoes when they arrive at work or home: “Carry your shoes in a shoe bag when they are in your bag.”

To banish germs, use good old-fashioned soap and water. “You want to wash your feet when you get home,” says Dr. Graf. Or in a pinch, apply an antibacterial hand sanitizer on your feet, she suggests. Also, park a pair of slippers by the front door. “In general, it’s not a good idea to come into your home with dirty shoes that have walked on every known substance and smear it all over your house,” says Tierno.

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Here are some great tips on how to avoid your family getting food poisoning from your Christmas turkey. Also remember to practice good hand hygiene at all times, especially when handling raw poultry.

Christmas is one of the few times of the year people find themselves preparing to cook a large turkey or other bird, and many have little idea of the health risks.

Strangely enough, many Christmas cooks actually wash their turkey before preparing it. This is not just a waste of time (since running water will not rid the bird of the bacteria that cause food poisoning, only high temperature can do that), but actually increases the risk of spreading any germs to other parts of the kitchen, for instance by splashing them onto surfaces, worktops, chopping boards and utensils. Germs that cause food poisoning can also linger on surfaces for days.

In 2007 the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) surveyed over 2,000 people and found 80% of them wash their turkeys before cooking them, thereby raising “significantly the risk of food poisoning”. Apparently, women over 45 were the most likely offenders.

Judith Hilton, Head of Microbiological Safety at the FSA, said “it’s not possible to wash off the germs that cause food poisoning with water. They’re killed by heat. By washing your raw turkey, you’re actually more likely to spread the germs than get rid of them.”

The FSA says 20% of all food poisoning outbreaks are related to poultry, and they receive more reports in December than any other month.

Around a quarter of turkeys eaten at Christmas in the UK will have been bought frozen, yet many people don’t thaw the bird correctly, allowing salmonella and campylobacter to survive the cooking process.

The agency says one in three cooks also puts the stuffing inside the bird, but they recommend you don’t do that. The safest way is to cook the stuffing separately, outside the bird, in its own roasting tin, because cooking it inside the bird raises the risk that the poultry meat might not cook through fully.

The FSA says to make sure your turkey is cooked properly:

• Check it’s piping hot all the way through,
• Cut into the thickest part to check that none of the meat is pink, and
• If the juices run out, they should be clear.

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