SHOCK MOBILE UPDATE:

Phones have and transfer more germs (than we think)

Mobile phones are festering with more germs than the average toilet seat, scientists have discovered. In fact, much of what was found on mobile phones was faecal matter. One in six smartphones was found to have traces of faecal matter in a 2011 study undertaken by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The bacteria and faecal matter found on mobile phones amounted to ten times the level of bacteria typically found on a toilet seat. This is largely due to our near-constant use of phones in modern-day environments. We use our phones for multiple hours a day, touching and spreading bacteria on our screens and then lifting them close to our lips and face during phone calls, or transferring bacteria from our fingers whilst we eat, which spreads it even further.

Phones are often passed between friends and family, allowing germs to spread easily. However, it is most often the case that phone users do not clean their phones or their hands as often as they should. As a result, bacteria from a variety of different sources continues to build up on phone cases, accessories, and the phones themselves. One of the most common places to pick up these harmful bacteria and faecal matter is the toilet. Toilets are a major source of bacteria, with many different microbes lingering on door handles, flushes, and toilet seats. Two of the most common bacteria found on toilet seats are E. coli and Shigella, the latter being a cause of dysentery.

While these bacteria live in toilets, a large percentage of the general public uses their phones while on the toilet. It is only a matter of time before this bacteria builds up to unhealthy levels and causes serious health problems. Due to mobile phones being electronic, many people fear that cleaning them may cause damage. However, there is no need for concern—cleaning phone screens with an antibacterial substance every so often is highly recommended and will not cause any long-term damage.

SHOCK GLASSES UPDATE:

Glasses have and transfer more germs (than we think)

A small study in 2018 confirmed that dangerous bacteria can grow on your eyeglasses, including the bacteria that cause staph infections. A staph infection is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria, which are predominantly found on the skin or in the nasal cavity. In most cases, these bacteria enter the body through common areas such as cuts, but can also enter through other sensitive areas, such as the eyes. A German study found that those who were carriers of the staphylococci “carried the same strains on their eyeglasses (67%) and on their hands (62%)” as well as in their nasal cavity. This type of bacteria can cause skin infections on various parts of the body, including a swelling of the eyelids, but it can also cause more extreme infections, like food poisoning, blood poisoning, and toxic shock syndrome. A regular glasses cleaning routine would reduce the risk of a staph infection and would keep your glasses in tip-top condition. In a study conducted in 2015 using medical students as test subjects, it was recorded that of the 26 students observed, they touched their faces 23 times per hour. Of these touches, 36% involved the mouth, 31% involved the nose, 27% involved the eyes, and 6% were a combination of all of the above. Whilst these statistics might seem quite low on the surface, when we consider the incubation time of coronavirus, that number suddenly becomes quite concerning. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), studies suggest that coronaviruses may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days and advise people to avoid touching their eyes, mouth, or nose. With this in mind, it is more important than ever that we become alert to these instinctual face touches, especially given how often we touch our face and glasses without realising.