Germ Warfare: Protecting You And Your Family At Home And On The Road

Most of us look forward to our yearly vacation, and/or almost any opportunity to “get away” from it all. And, besides destination, most of us look forward to our luxury retreat replete with luxury room or suite.

And, while many of us may even bring our own sheets and be conscious and conscientious about the cleanliness of the bed and room we sleep in, we rarely take into account germs left behind by previous guests and found on common conveniences.

According to recent studies, you can expect viruses and bacteria on TV remotes, light switches, and even hotel pens, from cold sufferers who were there before you.

However, experts note that since the studies and testing were conducted prior to rooms being cleaned, the risks and conditions are likely overstated. But, it “does” unveil some of the potential risks and dangers that “can” crop up if you’re not careful and don’t know what to look for.

And, experts suggest that these health hazards are not only confined to hotels and other lodging facilities, but also to other homes, where inhabitants may not be fastidious about cleaning up when someone has or had a cold.

They (the experts) note, that germs (viruses) can survive on surfaces for quite some time, more than 4 days to be exact.

The study was conducted of 15 people with lab-confirmed rhinovirus colds who were asked to spend the night in individual rooms in a local lodging, which was examined upon their checkout.

What the professionals found was that of the 10 items that the “infected” individuals have touched, about one-third were “contaminated” with the virus. Furthermore, the virus was found on 7 out of 14 door handles and 6 out of 14 pens; as well as 6 out of 15 light switches, and with TV remotes and facility faucets also testing positive along with 5 of 15 phones. Shower curtains, coffee makers and alarm clocks also contained traces of the virus.

Ironically however, the virus was found on only one out of ten toilet handles tested.

And, experts refrained from testing bedspreads since cloth tends to dry out germs making them less likely to survive.

In conducting the study, experts asked some of those involved to return to the rooms they visited and in which certain items had been purposely contaminated with their own mucus, which had been frozen previously when they experienced their colds.


Quite interestingly, the participants had developed immunity to these germs making them (for the most part) immune and unaffected.

Each participant visited two rooms and subsequently had their hands tested for traces of the virus. Results yielded a 60 percent positive result in rooms where mucus had dried for at least one hour, and 33 percent positive in rooms where the mucus dried overnight.

Yet, while most hotels are independently operated, they note that the chain has stringent cleaning and sanitization rules each must follow ranging from what they clean to how they clean it.

In fact, many make the cleaning process “easier” by incorporating item such as encasings for phone books and replacing bedspreads with duvet covers that can be laundered between each guest.

And many (industry leader and experts) add, that afflicting germs are more likely found at home.

To keep surfaces clean and germ-free experts suggest wiping down (frequently) with common and standard household cleaners. And, they suggest making washing hands a common practice, but other than that not going overboard in trying to sanitize your