While most people attribute their cold to a few late nights in a row and some questionable diet choices, there can be more than just a run-down body to blame for feeling sick.
As numerous studies have revealed, it can be as simple as touching public parking meters or failing to clean your shower head properly that can trigger an illness within days.
So while you’re taking shots of vitamin C and resting up, you might be able to blame these things for being struck down with an unexpected cold.
So while you’re taking shots of vitamin C and increasing your time between the sheets you might be able to blame these things for being struck down with a cold (stock image)
Magazines at the doctor’s surgery
While it can be fun to find out which celebrities are hooking up or breaking down while you wait in the doctors or dentist’s clinic, you might not want to handle the magazine after this.
Large groups of unwell people have likely touched these pages and they aren’t always replenished monthly… so you’re likely touching a book that’s travelled though a number of hands.
In one Norwegian study, the front pages of glossy magazines were collected from the waiting rooms of 11 clinics and inspected for bacterial contamination, reported 9Honey.
Every one of them was found to be teeming with bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus – which is also known as golden staph.
It has the power to cause meningitis and pneumonia, among other life-threatening diseases.
While it can be fun to find out which celebrities are hooking up or breaking down while you wait in the doctors or dentist’s clinic, you might not want to handle the magazine after this
Toothbrush
While you are brushing your teeth you could be unwittingly introducing nasty bacteria into your mouth.
According to researchers at the University of Manchester your toothbrush could be harbouring more than 100 million bacteria, including germs like the flu virus, E. Coli, yeast fungus and staphylococcus bacteria.
Things are worse if your toothbrush isn’t enclosed inside a vanity and sits on the sink, particularly if it’s within the proximity of the toilet; millions of microscopic faecal ‘sprinkles’ are raining down on those bristles.
The trick to avoiding illness is to always wash your toothbrush thoroughly, shake off any extra water after use and store in a cupboard away from the toilet.
It’s also a good idea to replace your brush every three months.
An ATM
The local ATM machine handles one of the most unhygienic products on the planet: money.
But it’s also being touched by all manner of people to withdraw savings – and is usually exposed to the elements as well.
Chinese researchers tested 38 ATMS in downtime Taipei and found each key on a machine contains an average of 1,200 germs such as E. Coli and the flu virus.
In a separate study by New York University, traces of rotten goods, fish and human skin were found.
One of the simplest ways to avoid contamination is by touching the keys with a tissue in your hand.
Shopping trolley
Those handlebars have seen quite a few body parts, from hands and fingers to babies limbs as they pass over them to be seated in the children’s chair.
Those handlebars have seen quite a few body parts, from hands and fingers to babies limbs as they pass over them to be seated in the children’s chair
A study from the University of Arizona found that shopping carts were loaded with more bacteria, saliva, and faecal matter than escalators, public telephones and even public bathrooms, Best Life reported.
While there is no other way to do your groceries, placing a basket over your arm where it isn’t touching the skin through your jacket or shirt is a good alternative.
Shower heads
Your shower head should be working to get you clean but it could also be making you very ill.
According to researchers at the University of Colorado, shower heads can harbour everything from Legionella, the bacteria behind Legionnaire’s disease, to Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, which can cause devastating lung infections, particularly among those with already-weakened immune systems.
To solve the problem you should be cleaning your shower head just as often as you clean the tiles in the bathroom, Business Insider said.
Your shower head should be working to get you clean but it could also be making you very ill
Can openers
We use them often to open up cans of beans and vegetables but very few people can remember the last time they washed or even rinsed a can opener.
Unfortunately, our neglectful behaviour when it comes to this useful kitchen tool may be making us sick.
In fact, according to one study, everything from mould to E. coli, the latter being potentially deadly, has been found on can openers, Best Life said.
Parking meters
Not only are they outside on the street – exposed to the elements – but they’re also touched by hundreds of people a day.
While they are unavoidable if you’re not wanting a fine, if the city you’re in has smart meters installed pay with an app instead of cash.
Otherwise use a tissue to key in the numbers you want to, Business Insider said.
Not only are they outside on the street – exposed to the elements – but they’re also touched by hundreds of people a day