'Act now' warning issued to anyone who uses earphones or headphones
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The UK's winter flu season is hitting hard as sickness ripples across the nation, and it turns out a common item many carry daily could boost the risk of falling ill. CloudZero took to swabbing everyday tech like mobile phones, laptop headphones, computer mice, and keyboards, sending them off to the lab for a bacteria reckoning.
Headphones emerged as the most germ-riddled gadget with 1,073 bacteria colonies - topping even a public loo seat. Some pairs of headphones sported up to a whopping 3,000 colonies, ringing alarms for immediate hygiene action. Dr. Maria Knobel, medical director at Medical Cert UK, underscored the importance of device cleanliness to dodge disease. She said: "Tech devices, like smartphones, are touched frequently and placed on various surfaces - desks, counters, public transport, and bathrooms - collecting germs that easily transfer to our hands and face.".
She cautioned against habits like eating while scrolling or gym floor phone drops, which hike up bacteria counts. "For example, using a phone while eating, placing it on the gym floor, and later holding it to your face leads to an accumulation of bacteria, dirt, and oils.".
To snip the thread of infections such as colds, flu, or even spotty outbreaks, Dr. Knobel insists on a daily wipe-down ritual for our gizmos, particularly for active souls who swap scenes often with their gear, reports the Express. A simple combo of microfiber cloth and tech-friendly sanitizer can scrub away the grime, lessening germ transmissions.
