Mobile Displays: An Unseen Ecosystem of Flora on Digital Devices
Your smartphone isn't just a sleek gadget, it's a breeding ground for microscopic critters. That's right, buddy! This device you keep close to your face and body is crawling with bacteria.
From the dirt and grime on your hands to the sweat on your face, your phone is a petri dish for all kinds of yuckiness. In fact, it's worst than you might think, carrying more bacteria than a toilet seat, thanks to those tasty leftovers from your last bathroom visit[1].
But don't freak out just yet, most of the bacteria on your phone are harmless, like the common street-walking staphylococci[2]. These little guys live on human skin and will only cause issues if they find their way into your body through a cut or scrape.
However, certain bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) could potentially cause urinary tract infections, diarrhea, and other illnesses if they find a way into your body[2]. The same goes for streptococci, which can lead to throat infections and even strep throat[2].
A recent experiment conducted by a senior lecturer in molecular bacteriology at the University of Surrey, Dr. Simon Park, showed that 87% of phones tested had S. aureus, a bacteria known for causing skin infections, respiratory diseases, and food poisoning[4]. This nasty bacteria often makes its way onto your phone because of a sneaky little nose pick followed by a quick text or call[4].
Now, if all this yuckiness makes your skin crawl, there are simple ways to keep your phone clean and bacteria-free. Use alcohol-based wipes with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol to disinfect your phone regularly, wash your hands frequently (before and after handling your phone is a good rule of thumb), avoid using your phone in the bathroom, and consider investing in a UV sanitizer[4].
So next time you think about ignoring that pesky crumb on your keyboard, remember: that crumb has nothing on the bacteria-laden portal to disease known as your smartphone. Stay germ-free, my friend!
Sources:[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/science/smartphones-are-loved-by-bacteria.html[2] https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/cellphones-and-health[3] https://www.healthline.com/health-news/bacteria-found-on-smartphones-could-cause-disease[4] https://exploringtheinvisible.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/87-of-smartphones-carry-a-dangerous-bacteria-staphylococcus-aureus/
Technology has a surprising link to health-and-wellness, as your smartphone can harbor harmful bacteria like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus that could potentially lead to infections, diarrhea, or skin infections. To maintain good fitness-and-exercise routines and promote skin-care, it's essential to keep phones clean, using alcohol-based wipes regularly, washing hands frequently, and preventing phone use in the bathroom. Proper nutrition and overall wellness depend on avoiding possible contaminants like bacteria on your smartphone.
