We are surrounded by various germs. Many of these germs are harmful for human beings and find various routes to enter in our bodies. Inanimate things around us are also responsible for the spread of the infection in adults and kids. Free living germs like bacteria, fungi, and virus survive on the non living things like furniture,utensils, toothbrush, toilet seats, faucets etc. Bacteria and fungi survive on these inanimate objects for prolonged period than virus because of the fact that virus require living cells to survive. Moisture helps germs to hang around in the environment even for several days without drying off or drying up.

A study carried out in 2006, found that adults infected with rhinovirus who stayed over-night in the hotel rooms contaminated one third of the things in the room. The rhinoviruses survived on the objects they touched like electric switches, telephone, television, television remote devices etc for 24 hours. These objects might not receive routine cleaning , so these virus survived on these objects for a long time. Few other object like sharp things can be contaminated by blood also causing life threatening diseases. Everyday things like drinking glasses, toothbrush hats, hair brush, bed sheets, toilet seats etc serve as vector of infection.

The infection through these inanimate objects spread mainly because of sharing of objects.

Here is a list of the everyday things that can spread infection:

Things: Sinks, toilets, toilet seats, toilet bowls

Germs: Gastrointestinal bacteria, gastrointestinal virus

Disease/ Condition: Gastroenteritis /stomach flu

Things: Drinking glasses, toothbrushes, eating utensils, water bottles

Germs: Respiratory bacteria, respiratory virus, Herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus

Disease/ Condition: Strep throat, whooping cough, common cold, cold sores, pinkeye, sinus infection, pneumonia, flu, ear infection.

Things: Shower stall

Germs: Virus, fungi

Disease/ Condition: Plantar warts, Athlete's foot, jock itch

Things: Laundry

Germs: Molluscipoxvirus, Skin bacteria, fungi, parasites, insects, genital bacteria, Gastrointestinal bacteria, gastrointestinal virus

Disease/ Condition: Molluscum contagiosum skin rash, skin infection, Syphilis, gonorrhea, gastroenteritis, ringworm, pinworm, scabies.

Things: Hair brushes, combs, hats, sports and bike helmets.

Germs: Fungi

Disease/ Condition: Ringworm of scalp

Things: Wrestling mats

Germs: Herpesvirus

Disease/ Condition: Herpes gladiatorum

Things: Razor blades, knife, scissors

Germs: Virus

Disease/ Condition: HIV infection/AIDS, hepatitis B,hepatitis C.

Tags & Keywords : germs, infection, germs on things around us