Media Issues Touch-Screen Germ Warning

Germaphobes and iPhones don't mix

Oct 15 2010, 4:38am CDT | by Jordan Cressman

"Is that an iPhone? Can I see it?" "Whoa, let me check out that app." "I'm going to rub my hands all over your Droid!" Watch out before you say something like that because it could be the last thing you say.

Okay, not really, but apparently the big thing to talk about right now is the potential for germ-spreading caused by sharing iPhones or other touch-screen devices.

Stanford University conducted a study on the spreading of germs and viruses. One of its key points - touch-screen devices are dangerous.

"If you're sharing the device, then you're sharing your influenza with someone else who touches it," said study co-author Timothy Julian, a doctoral student.

Other research suggests that the average mobile phone contains 18 times more bacteria than the typical handle in a men's restroom. You know what that means? Washing your hands after using the restroom apparently isn't such a big deal anymore. No, wait; that can't possibly be a good idea. But then again, are you going to wash your hands every time you finish texting someone?

Julian's warning continues, "If you put virus on a surface, like an iPhone, about 30 percent of it will get on your fingertips" and "a fair amount of it may go from your fingers to your eyes, mouth or nose."

But can we really be expected to just hold onto our phones for dear life? Never let another soul touch it? Nah, the lesson here is simply to take care of your own hygiene. Phones, just like everything else, will have germs. So just wash your hands regularly and everything will be fine.

All this fear mongering over germs is just silly.

Via Sacramento Bee

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