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Cleofuss wrote:

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9 surprising places where germs lurk

Salt and pepper shakers

The University of Virginia researchers in the same home study found an unusual location for rhinovirus - salt and pepper shakers. "A person gets mucus on their fingers, then picks up the salt and pepper shakers, and they leave [the virus] there," says Dr. Owen Hendley. Other germ reservoirs: Refrigerator and dishwasher handles.

Protect yourself: Wash hands frequently and clean objects with disinfecting wipes.

Purse

In a small study, Nelson Labs of Salt Lake City tested handbags for traces of bacteria. Among the lipstick, pens, and odds and ends, they found staph, E. coli, salmonella and pseudomonas, which can cause eye infections. "They all had quite a bit of bacteria contamination," says Amy Karren of Nelson Labs.

Protect yourself: Hang up your purse, and keep it off the kitchen counter. Wipe the bag with a mild soap or disinfectant.

Showerhead

Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder studied 50 showerheads from nine cities and found about 30 percent harbored significant loads of Mycobacterium avium, a pathogen linked to pulmonary disease. It most often affects people with compromised immune systems, but occasionally can infect healthy people. The pathogens, clumped together on the inside of showerheads, can be inhaled into the lungs.

Protect yourself: Stick with baths? Not really. Showering is still safe for most people. Those with compromised immune systems should change showerheads regularly, and use metal ones, not plastic, researchers say.

Desk

Office desks contain hundreds of times more bacteria per square inch than office toilet seats. "Desks in schools are much germier than office desks," microbiologist Gerba says. "Women's desks are germier than men's," he adds, because women tend keep a lot more food and cosmetics in and around their desks than men.

Protection: If you can't retire early, try wiping down the work areas with disinfectant wipes and washing hands frequently.

Cell phone

Cell phones are stowed in nice, warm pockets, making a good breeding laboratory. Your phone can carry lots of bacteria, including staph, which can cause skin infections. "The flip phone is germiest because it keeps moisture in more," says Gerba, who is also known as "Dr. Germ."

Protect yourself: Use a disinfecting wipe regularly and think about where you lay your phone down. Wash your hands frequently. And be careful in borrowing someone else's cell.