Germ Magnet Puts YOU at Risk (GROSS!)
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 25, 2024
If you weren’t already a “germaphobe” before COVID-19 arrived, there’s a good chance you became one after… well, for a while anyway. We ALL turned into clean freaks during the height of the pandemic.
And it wasn’t just the constant hand washing, either. (Which I hope you’re STILL doing.) If you were like a lot of folks you started cleaning nearly everything that came into your home.
Better safe than sorry. After all, there’s no way to SEE the microscopic germs that could be lurking on them.
But there’s one item we touch DAILY that scientists say is almost certainly crawling with sickening microbes. Yet most folks rarely clean it.
And that’s a HUGE mistake…
It turns out that shiny rectangular lifeline tucked in your pocket or perched on your wrist carries MORE than precious pictures of your family and your favorite playlists.
Smartphones and watches harbor a dirty little secret. They’re GERM MAGNETS… covered with microbes, oils, and grime.
In fact, recent research found that the average smartphone carries over 25,000 bacteria per square inch. That means it’s dirtier than a toilet seat! (Shudder.)
And that’s not just gross, it’s DANGEROUS.
A study published in the journal Nature called smartphones “hazardous microbial platforms.”
The researchers concluded that the situation has become so concerning that strong biosecurity and public health rules are needed to lower the dangers.
Your smartwatch isn’t far behind when it comes to germ-gathering.
Recent research published in the journal Advances in Infectious Diseases found that the most common germs living on watchbands or on watches are…
- Staphylococci,
- Pseudomonads, and
- Enterobacteriaceae.
Now, you may already be in the habit of wiping down your screen regularly. After all it’s hard to see what’s on them when you don’t remove the smudges from time to time.
But regularly DEEP CLEANING these devices is vital to avoid transferring bacteria and viruses to your eyes, nose, and mouth. And it’s even MORE essential during cold, flu, and COVID season.
The best solution is to use alcohol wipes on your phone and wearables. They’re cheap, portable, and easy to use. A 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe will take care of most bacteria in a few seconds.
It’s well worth the few minutes a week it takes to clean your phone to reduce your risk of infections.
P.S. Your CLEAN home is hiding ANOTHER dirty secret.
Sources:
Olsen, M., Nassar, R., Senok, A. et al. “Mobile phones are hazardous microbial platforms warranting robust public health and biosecurity protocols.” Sci Rep 12, 10009 (2022).
Joseph Mendonca, et al. “Prevalence and Disinfection of Bacteria Associated with Various Types of Wristbands,” Advances in Infectious Diseases, Vol.13 No.2, June 2023, DOI: 10. 4236 /aid. 2023.132018
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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