The Dirty Dozen: Fighting Germs During Flu Season

By Kelly Torres

Every year, as flu season approaches, it seems like we are warned of an outbreak of a new deadly virus. This year is no exception, with the outbreak of Ebola, and should certainly not be taken lightly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that, "The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest in history, affecting multiple countries in West Africa with locally acquired cases in healthcare workers reported in the United States."

While there is not yet a vaccine for this virus, the common cold or many other bugs among us, there are precautions we can take to decrease our chances of contracting and spreading them. The best thing that we can do is to practice careful hygiene and caution about the things that we touch and come in contact with. The CDC recommends that we frequently wash our hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoid contact with blood and body fluids.

There are hidden germs and bacteria all around us, which is how they transfer to our hands in the first place. According to the CDC, human flu viruses can survive on surfaces for two to eight hours. In favorable conditions, some bacteria like E. coli, can divide every 20 minutes. We need to be particularly careful about community objects or items that we share with others. The following is a list of the "Dirty Dozen" -- 12 top things with hidden germs:

� Airline food trays
� Remote controls
� Faucets (especially bathroom)
� Phones
� Computer keyboards & mice
� Door handles (especially bathroom)
� Gas Pumps
� Tables (kitchen, conference, office, etc.)
� Furniture arms, theater armrests, chairs
� Escalator handrails
� Elevator buttons
� Shopping cart handles and seats

Statistics on the germs that linger on these objects are frightening. According to Chuck "Dr. Germ" Gerba, microbiology professor at University of Arizona, 71 percent of gas pump handles are contaminated with germs that can make you ill. A 2005 study showed that 18 percent of people do not wash their hands after using the bathroom. Multiple studies show that 80 percent of infections are spread by hand. Since we can't live in a bubble, it is important to be proactive in stopping the spread of these pesky microorganisms.

In addition to personal hygiene, we must keep the objects around us sanitized as well. Carrying anti-bacterial wipes can help strengthen our battle against the bug. There are so many different brands of wipes out there, so it is important to find a brand that guarantees to kill 99.9 percent of germs and can serve as a hand and surface wipe, such as La Fresh Travel Lite� Anti-Bacterial Wipes.

These pocket-sized, germ-busting disinfectant wipes are TSA-approved for airplane carry-on and individually sealed, offering convenience of carrying them in your purse, travel bag, brief case, gym bag, backpack or diaper bag. It is also a good idea to place them in your glove box, desk drawer or kid's lunchbox.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely avoid germs. With good hygiene and quality sanitation products, we can help to minimize the effects and the spread of germs.