Cold viruses are always lurking around us and waiting for a chance to catch us. From a door handle to a handshake, they can be found in common everyday objects that we come across without even noticing. Here are 30 places where cold viruses are hiding.
1. Door handles
Door handles are the most obvious places where cold viruses are lurking. They are touched by everyone and anyone, and very few people bother to wash their hands after using them.
When you touch a door handle that’s been contaminated with a cold virus, you can easily catch the virus and fall sick with a cold.
2. Telephone
Office telephones are hotbeds of cold viruses. They are used by many people and are rarely cleaned in between uses. When you pick up a telephone that’s been contaminated with the cold virus, you put yourself at risk of catching a cold.
This is particularly true for phones shared by multiple users without being cleaned very often.
3. Computer keyboard
Another common source of cold viruses in an office setting is computer keyboards. People cough and sneeze into their hands and then use their dirty hands to type away at a keyboard, which is then touched by others.
Germs can live on surfaces for hours or even days, so it’s important to regularly clean and wipe the keyboard and mouse with an antibacterial solution.
4. Remote controls
Most people forget to clean their TV remote control. It’s often used by everyone in the house, including people who may have a cold.
Remote controls are often touched without thinking and not many people wash their hands before touching them, making them a breeding ground for cold viruses.
5. Shopping cart handles
Shopping carts are another common source of cold viruses. Think about all the germs that could be lurking on the handles of those carts; everyone uses them, and nobody thinks to clean them before use.
To protect yourself, carry hand sanitizer with you and use it often.
6. Elevator buttons
Elevator buttons are another high-traffic area where cold viruses can be lurking. You never know who has touched that button before you.
If you find yourself in an elevator with someone who is coughing and sneezing, try to avoid touching buttons with your bare hands and instead use your knuckle or elbow to press the buttons.
7. Public transportation
The flu spreads easily on crowded public transportation, whether it’s a bus, train, or subway. Closed spaces, recirculated air, and large numbers of people all contribute to the spread of cold viruses.
Make sure to keep your hands clean, avoid touching your face, and carry a hand sanitizer with you at all times.
8. Shared office spaces
Shared office spaces are another place where you have to be cautious of cold viruses. People with colds often come to work because they don’t want to miss out on pay and end up infecting others.
The air conditioning system can also spread germs around the office, so it is important to ventilate the room properly and regularly clean surfaces like desks and chairs.
9. School surfaces
Children are notorious for having runny noses during cold and flu season. Their classrooms and playgrounds are breeding grounds for cold viruses. The germs can be found on surfaces like desks, chairs, and doorknobs.
If you’re a parent, make sure to teach your child the importance of personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing, and encourage the school to put measures in place to maintain cleanliness and sanitation.
10. Gym equipment
Gym equipment is another high-touch area where cold viruses can be lurking. People perspire and wipe their noses and then touch the equipment without washing their hands. Make sure to bring your own towel and wipe down machines before and after use.
11. Hotel rooms
Hotel rooms may look clean, but they can be full of germs. Remote controls, light switches, and door handles are all hot spots for cold viruses. Make sure to sanitize surfaces before touching them, and bring your own pillow and bed sheets if possible.
12. Workplace common areas
The kitchenette, lounge, and common sitting area in your office are all places where people congregate and can easily spread cold viruses.
People touch surfaces without washing their hands, and cutlery and plates are often shared, increasing the risk of infection. Make sure your employer encourages personal hygiene and regularly cleans and sanitizes these areas.
13. Dentist and doctor’s offices
Dentist and doctor’s offices are places where people go when they are unwell, and they are also where sick people can spread cold viruses.
Even if the medical staff takes care to keep surfaces clean, the waiting room or reception areas can be breeding grounds for germs. Make sure to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily.
14. Public restrooms
Public restrooms are places where cold viruses and other germs are always lurking. There are many touch points such as door handles, faucets, toilet handles and toilet seats which can be contaminated with cold and flu viruses.
To reduce your risk of infection, make sure to use a paper towel or your elbow to open doors, and use hand sanitizer after washing your hands.
15. Playground equipment
Playground equipment can also be a breeding ground for cold viruses. Children often cough and sneeze, and then play with equipment without washing their hands.
To reduce the risk, make sure your child uses hand sanitizer frequently and consider carrying some with you when you go out.
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16. Coffee cups and mugs
Coffee cups and mugs in the office or at home harbor cold viruses, especially when they are reused without being washed properly. To minimize the risk of getting a cold from these shared cups, make sure to wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
17. ATM machines
ATM machines are used by many people, and they are rarely disinfected. Studies show that many ATMs carry cold viruses. After using an ATM, make sure to sanitize your hands, and avoid touching your face before you do so.
18. Airplane seats and tray tables
People cough and sneeze on airplanes all the time. This, combined with the low humidity on airplanes, makes cabin air a perfect breeding ground for cold viruses.
Tray tables and seat-back pockets are also frequently touched surfaces that can harbor germs, so make sure to wash your hands frequently on long flights, and avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily.
19. Shopping malls
Shopping centers and malls are busy places where multiple people touch various surfaces all day long. Door handles, escalator railings, public bathrooms, and food court tables are all high touch surfaces that can harbor cold viruses.
Be mindful of the surfaces you touch and carry hand sanitizer with you to minimize the risk of infection.
20. Grocery store checkout counters
Countertops at checkout stations in grocery stores and supermarkets are used by many people, and the cashier may not have enough time to clean them between customers.
Use your own pen and make sure to smudge and wipe your fingers with sanitizer after grabbing your purchases.
21. Public water fountains
Public water fountains are yet another hotspot for cold viruses. They are often situated in high traffic areas and touch points like taps and buttons get frequently touched.
Make sure to avoid drinking from them and carry your own reusable bottle filled with your favorite beverage.
22. Public libraries and books
Public libraries and books can also be breeding grounds for cold viruses. Books are often handled by numerous people, and not everyone has clean hands. You may come across some dirty hand smudges on the pages you read.
It is important to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and sanitize the books you check out before use.
23. Pet fur
While our furry friends may provide us with unconditional love, they can also harbor cold viruses. Since dogs and cats are often in close contact with people, they can also catch and spread cold viruses.
Make sure to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face after petting an animal you aren’t familiar with.
24. Cash
Cash is used by everyone and passed through multiple hands. It’s one of the most common ways cold viruses are passed from one person to another.
If you have to use cash, make sure to sanitize your hands after handling it, or considering using a debit or credit card instead.
25. Gym lockers
Gym lockers can also harbor germs and cold viruses. People with colds often go to the gym with the intention of sweating it out, but that puts others at risk of infection.
Make sure to wipe down lockers with an antimicrobial wipe before and after use, and avoid touching surfaces that others may have touched.
26. Keyboards and mice in internet cafes
If you’re traveling and need to use a public computer to check your email, make sure to wipe your hands and sanitize the keyboard and mouse before use.
People with colds often use public computers, and people come and go touching the shared devices.
27. Water coolers
Water coolers are found in many offices and shared spaces, but they are also breeding grounds for cold viruses. The spigot is a touch point and can harbor germs if not cleaned regularly.
Consider bringing your own water bottle and fill it from home before heading to work.
28. Buffet-style restaurants
Buffet-style restaurants are places where many people serve themselves from shared dishes. If someone sneezes on the food, many others may be affected.
Make sure to practice proper hygiene, and wash or sanitize your hands before and after handling foods, and avoid sharing utensils with others.
29. Handshakes
Handshakes, when offered with unwashed hands can be carriers of cold viruses. Wash your hands before and after shaking hands. Avoid shaking hands with your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Instead, use a hand sanitizer frequently and avoid doing touch-ups, while shaking hands.
30. The Office fridge
The office fridge is open multiple times a day and it can harbor cold viruses. If someone who has a cold stores food in the fridge, the handle can be contaminated with cold germs.
Bring your own lunch and keep it in an insulated bag, instead of storing it in an office refrigerator.
