15 Things That Can Get You Sick, Quick

In 1998, scientists settled on a startling conclusion. Based on extensive research, they estimated that, at that time, our world was home to five million trillion trillion bacteria. (For reference, that’s a five with 30 zeros.)

Now, almost 20 years later, it’s only likely that number has increased, and there are some everyday items that are far more susceptible to spreading it.

Let’s take a look at 20 things that can get you sick, quick, along with the ways to avoid them.

1.  Bed sheets. Believe it or not, your bed sheets are a breeding ground for dust mites. They can live, die and reproduce in your bed—feasting on your dead skin cells. As they do, they can affect your allergies and lower your immune system. Tip: Wash your sheets at least once a week in hot, soapy water.

2.  Pillows. You’d never lie down on a pile of germs. Or would you? Pillows have been proven to harbor bacteria, even when they have a pillowcase on them. In fact, some estimates are that pillows (and mattresses) can harbor up to 10 percent of their weight in dust mites. Tip: Wash your pillows at least once a year in hot, soapy water. Or, invest in new ones.

3.  Toothbrushes. You naturally have bacteria in your mouth. (Don’t worry, everyone does.) And if you leave your toothbrush out in the open, you’re exposing it to even more. Tip: Rinse your toothbrush before and after every use. Try not to let the tip of the toothpaste touch your toothbrush. Keep it in a dry, covered place. Then, get a new one every three months, or after you’ve been sick.

4.  Cosmetics. When it comes to mascara, eye shadow, lip gloss and makeup brushes, you double dip every day. Eventually, it can contaminate the product, which could lead to an infection. Tip: Replace your makeup often. (Find out just how often here.)

5.  Door knobs. Think about how many hands have touched that door before yours… Tip: When possible, pull your sleeve down around your hand and open the door that way. When you’re in a public bathroom, grab an extra paper towel or piece of toilet paper to touch the door with.

6.  Light switches. How many times do you turn the lights on and off in a day? In a week? Month? Or even year Tip: Once a week, give your light switches a quick swipe with an antibacterial wipe.

7.  Refrigerator handles. You pull out the bacon to make breakfast. You pull out the lunch meat to make a sandwich. You pull out the chicken to make dinner. But, how often do you wash your hands before you put it back? If you don’t do it every time, your refrigerator handles could be contaminated with the same bacteria as raw meat. Tip: Once a week, wipe down your refrigerator handles.

8.  Kitchen sponges. You think you’re cleaning your dishes, but you might just be transferring bacteria from one plate to another. Tip: Before you use it, microwave your kitchen sponge for 60 seconds.

9.  Salt and pepper shakers. You always touch them, but you never clean them. You may even touch them while you’re cooking, which could transfer bacteria from raw meat to your shakers. Tip: Before dinner, wipe down your salt and pepper shakers.

10.            Buffets. Most buffets have a giant “sneeze guard” that’s supposed to protect food from germs. But they can actually have the opposite effect. In fact, instead of keeping germs out, they can trap bacteria in. Tip: Plan to eat at a buffet when the food is first put out, which is usually around noon and then again at 5 p.m.

11.            Fast food trays. Consider this: The tray that holds your food is usually washed once a week, with a dirty rag. Tip: Get your food to go.

12.            Water pitchers. When you need a refill at a restaurant, a waiter will often bring a water pitcher. These pitchers are used to pour water all day, and they’re usually only cleaned at the end of the night. Tip: It’s good to drink water and stay hydrated, just make sure the pitcher doesn’t touch the rim of your glass when it’s being refilled.

13.            Vending machines. Whether it’s for chocolate or chips, vending machines are a one stop shop for snackers everywhere. It takes just a few seconds to get your food, but the buttons could have bacteria that’s built up over years. Tip: Carry a healthy snack with you, whenever you think you’ll need one.

14.            Caramel apples. The combination of a wooden stick and natural apple juice can create a bacteria called Listeria, which can cause symptoms similar to food poisoning. Tip: Buy caramel apples without a stick, or buy them refrigerated.

15.            Out-of-season produce. When your favorite fruits and veggies are out of season, they travel a long way to get to you. By the time they get to the supermarket’s shelf, a lot of their disease-fighting nutrients have deteriorated, and the food isn’t as healthy as when it was harvested. Tip: Try to buy local produce. If it’s out of season, buy frozen food—which is almost always harvested at its peak.