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The Dirt on Germs

Your world is crawling with trillions of germs. They’re not all bad for you, but you should try to avoid the nasty ones. Here’s how.

October 2024
Rachel Morris | Illustration by Glenn Harvey

Take a look around. If you were wearing special goggles that gave you ultrapowerful vision, you’d be amazed—and probably a little grossed out—by what you saw. That’s because every surface in sight, including your hands, your phone, and your backpack, is literally covered in germs. Ick!

Yes, germs are everywhere. But don’t worry, you don’t need to run straight for the shower (spoiler alert: There are germs all over that too). 

In fact, many of these germs are harmless and even beneficial. For example, some types of germs form a protective layer on your skin that works to fight off harmful invaders. Another kind of germ in your gut helps you digest food.

But other germs aren’t so friendly. The type of germ called a virus can give you a cold or the flu. A different kind called bacteria can cause food poisoning or strep throat. And many of these germs are just hanging out on surfaces you touch every day. Once they get on your hands, it’s a quick jump to your face, where they can enter your body through your eyes, nose, or mouth and possibly make you sick.

There’s no need to go full-on germophobe, but taking a few steps to protect yourself from the unfriendly varieties of bacteria and viruses can help you stay healthy. Think you know how? Read on to test your knowledge of germs and find out how you can stop them in their tracks.

Bacteria Versus Viruses

The two most common types of germs are bacteria and viruses. Both can make you sick.

BACTERIA

  • Can grow inside or outside of your body
  • Can be harmful or helpful
  • Respond to antibiotics

VIRUSES

  • Attach to cells to reproduce
  • Almost always make you sick
  • Do not respond to antibiotics

BOTH

  • Spread through coughing, sneezing, and physical contact

QUIZ!

1

True or False? You’re more likely to catch a cold indoors than outside.

Answer: True! Not wearing your coat will make you feel cold—but it won’t cause you to catch a cold. That’s because the virus that causes colds, flu, and Covid-19 (yup, that’s still around!) spreads easiest when you’re in close contact with other people. When you’re indoors, you’re often in confined spaces, like a classroom or home, where the air doesn’t circulate as well. This makes it easier for viruses to spread from person to person through sneezing, coughing, or touching shared objects. So while it’s still possible to catch a cold outdoors, it’s less likely than when you’re in crowded indoor places.

Toilet seats aren’t as gross as you might assume. 

2

True or False? The toilet seat is the germiest surface in a public bathroom.

Answer: False! The toilet seat may seem like the grossest spot in the bathroom, but it’s not as dangerous as you think. “Bad germs don’t live long on the material used for toilet seats, so it’s unlikely you’ll get sick,” says pediatrician Gregory Weaver. You’re more likely to find germs in all of the places you touch with your hands, such as the toilet handle, sink faucet, and doorknob. Always wash your hands after using the bathroom and, if you can, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
3

True or False? It’s not a good idea to eat food that’s fallen on the floor—no matter how fast you pick it up.

Answer: True! We’ve all heard of the five-second rule: If you’re quick enough, you can snatch your dropped sandwich off the floor before too many germs stick to it. But researchers have found that you may want to think twice before you bite into that PB&J. That’s especially true if it falls in a public space like an airport or a school cafeteria, where a lot of people are walking around in dirty shoes. Studies show it can take less than one second for bacteria that can potentially cause nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms to contaminate a piece of dropped food. That means you’ll want to toss that dropped sandwich directly in the trash. On the other 
4

True or False? Scrubbing with extremely hot water is the best way to wash your hands.

Answer: False! Hot water alone won’t kill germs. What does kill them is vigorously scrubbing your hands and nails with soap and water for at least 20 full seconds. (Try humming the chorus to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.”) Since it’s the time, not the temperature, that counts, choose a water temperature that feels comfortable to you. Warm, lukewarm, cold—all totally fine.
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Germ-o-Meter!

The research is in on the ickiest sickness-spreading hot spots. 

GROSS: Cutting Boards

E. coli and salmonella, which cause food poisoning, can grow on them. Scrub them with dish soap after each use. 

GROSSER: Pet Bowls

Mold and yeast grow in them, which can make both you and your pet sick. Run bowls through the dishwasher or scrub with soap and hot water. 

GROSSER STILL: Toothbrush Holder

Tiny particles of pee and poop can get on it when you flush. Store your toothbrush in the cabinet, and close the toilet lid before flushing.

GROSSEST: Your Phone! 

A study found 10 times the amount of bacteria on teens’ phones as on the average toilet seat! Make sure to wipe it down every day.

The Showdown: Sanitizer vs. Soap

When it comes to getting rid of germs, both hand sanitizer and soap are helpful, but soap comes out on top. Research shows that washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds removes more germs than using hand sanitizer. It’s also best to use soap if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy.

But if washing isn’t an option, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good backup. Pour a puddle into your palm and dip your fingertips and nail area before spreading to the rest of your hand. Repeat on the other side, then rub your hands together until they are completely dry.

Hitching a Ride!

Your backpack sees some pretty germy spots, including the floors of the bus, bathroom, and classroom. One study found that backpacks pick up hundreds of thousands of germs throughout the day. So try to keep yours off your bed and surfaces that you eat off of, like the kitchen table or countertop.

Sources: cdc.gov; nih. gov

IMMUNITY BOOSTER QUIZ

1

A strong immune system gives you a better chance of fighting off germs that cause colds. Which of the following won’t help keep you from getting sick?

Answer: C. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for sicknesses like strep throat, which are caused by bacteria. But antibiotics won’t do anything for a virus, and they certainly won’t prevent you from catching a cold. To keep your immune system in top germ-fighting shape, focus on habits that are good for your overall health, like getting enough sleep and exercise and adding plenty of fruits and veggies to your plate.
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