Kids' Doctor - Germs in Public Places

    With all the coughing and sneezing going around, we know germs are airborne. But what about the ones that seem to linger on surfaces? They can be just as problematic and make you and your family sick. A new report has revealed the top public places and items where cold and flu germs live as well as E. coli bacteria.
    Since you were young you have probably heard, wash your hands, but soap dispensers do not drain well, so bacteria likes to build up in the soap scum. Wash your hands and feel free to bring hand sanitizer with you as well. Restroom door handles are notoriously germ filled. There are some people who do not wash their hands after using the bathroom which only makes things worse. Make sure you and your children wash their hands and even grab a paper when you have to grab the handle to open the door.
    Grocery carts can harbor all types of germs and bacteria. In fact, it may contain more than a public restroom. Many grocery stores supply cart wipes to their customers, so feel free to wipe down the handle and the seat area.
The goal here is not to turn you into a "germ-a-phobe," but it's important to know how quickly germs spread in public and the best ways to prevent them from spreading to you and your kids.