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    Cold, Flu, & Cough Home

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    What to Do When Your Baby or Toddler Has a Cough

    WebMD Countdown: Dirtiest Things You Touch Every Day

    Video Transcript

    SUBJECT: Every single day we touch surfaces that are crawling with germs. And the germiest might not be what you would expect.

    For example, this has more bacteria than this. Now that I've got your attention, here are just a few of the top sources of yuck we come across every single day.

    Did you know your kitchen sink often contains 100,000 times more germs than your bathroom? One word, bleach. Products with bleach will keep those critters at bay. That load of wet laundry you just handled? If it wasn't washed in hot water, at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit, you could be touching e.Coli, salmonella, norovirus, or all kinds of unwanted gook.

    And make sure to put clothes in the dryer right away, or you'll need to wash again. And you might want to wash underwear in its own load. Just sayin'.

    Most people know that the bathroom is a breeding ground for germs. But did you know a toilet flush can spray micro droplets of nasty water up to eight feet away? Eight feet. Our suggestion? Close the lid before you flush. You're welcome.

    And when you head out for the day, don't forget your hand sanitizer. Every 60 seconds a working adult touches 30 objects. Your typical desk, second most germ-laden object after the phone. No wonder work makes us so sick. Solution? Wipe it down. And stop leaving crumbs everywhere. They make happy homes for all kinds of bacteria. Going out to lunch? Well, cash is king when it comes to bacteria.

    The average dollar bill may have up to-- get this-- 3,000 types of bad bugs. Consider leaving your money in the bank and use your debit card instead. There's a good chance it has less germs.

    Going to hit the gym? Remember, health club is just an expression. Yoga mats, cardio equipment, and weights can sport lots of germs including the MRSA strain of the staphylococcus bacteria, which is hard to say, hard to beat even with antibiotics. Make sure to wipe down the equipment before and after you use it, and wash your hands.

    Truth is, we haven't even scratched the surface of all the places germs linger. But fret not. Every day millions of us touch millions of things and all the germs they carry. Most of the time we feel fine. And with a little common sense, you can stay that way.

    It's pretty simple. Wash your hands. Yeah, I see you nodding, but it's been shown that only 5% of us are doing it right. Guys, you're especially bad at it. Hot water, soap, scrub for a full 20 seconds. Then rinse, dry on a clean towel, and repeat a lot.

    Do that, and those germs don't stand a chance.

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