It has become an extension of our hand, as we take it with us everywhere, wherever we are, even in the bathroom. But what does this mean and how responsible is the cell phone for the contamination of dangerous germs? Should we stop scrolling in the bathroom?
VIKY VENIOU
where we are, there it is mobile us. Not in the bag or pocket, but usually in the hands us. The closer they are to us, the safer we feel. Are we, however, safe if we always carry the mobile with us or does this habit pose serious risks to the health;
Health problems associated with cell phone use typically center on issues such as exposure to radio frequencies, their addictive nature, and the distraction they cause at dangerous times, such as while driving. The risk microbial contamination Carrying a mobile phone device is wrongly downgraded, but as the researchers point out, the threat is real and very significant.
For example, according to a 2019 survey, the vast majority of mobile phone users use their devices in the bathroom. Therefore, it is not surprising that mobiles end up carrying more germs than the surface of the toilet itself. And yet, without any prior cleaning process, we take the mobile to the kitchen where we eat, we give it to the children to play with and, in general, we continue with its meaningless use. Therefore, these devices eventually become hotbeds for germs, which spread everywhere.
Since a person touches their cell phone hundreds of times a day, but usually doesn’t wash their hands after touching the cell phone, it’s easy to understand that germs that “live” on the cell phone are then transferred through their hands. everywhere in the places where it moves.
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The hands are one of the most important passageways for germs in the body. We use them in almost every daily task, on surfaces and objects that carry germs, so they become carriers of germs. But the same goes for phones. A significant body of research on microbial colonies found on phones reveals that these devices can be contaminated with many different types of potentially pathogens. bacteria.
Indicative examples of such microbes constitute the E.coli that causes diarrhoea, staphylococcus that infects the skin, radiobacteria that are capable of causing tuberculosis and diphtheria, the citrobacter which can lead to painful urinary tract infections i enterococcus, which is known to cause meningitis. Mobile phone devices have also been detected. klebsiellaHe small grainhe proteobacteriahe pseudo unit and streptococcusall microbes with equally unpleasant effects on the body.
In fact, available research has found that many of these pathogens are often resistant to antibiotics, meaning they cannot be treated with conventional drugs, increasing the risk of life-threatening skin, intestinal and respiratory infections. . Additionally, phones contain plastic that can harbor and transmit viruses, some of which survive for up to several days.
How to disinfect your phone
The dangerous aspect of cell phones as a breeding ground for germs prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to introduce guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting cell phones to reduce the risk of microbial infection.
Among other things, the use of alcohol-based wipes or sprays is recommended. Whatever you choose, it must contain at least 70% alcohol and cleaning must be done daily. Remember, however, that you should not spray the phone directly with any disinfectant liquid, and of course you should protect the connectors of the phone. After you finish cleaning, wash your hands thoroughly.
Also, when you’re not home, keep your phone in your pocket or bag to keep it protected from exposure to germs.
Finally, it is good to leave the mobile in a secluded place when it is not being used and also periodically disinfect the charger.
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