We take him everywhere, to bed, to the toilet, in the metro… For many, consulting “him” is the first action of the day. This is of course the cell phone. Over 90% of the world’s population owns or uses one today, and many of us couldn’t live without it…
However useful it may be, this companion is not exempt from all reproach – particularly in terms of health. Concerns with their use generally relate to the distraction they may cause while driving, the possible effects of RF exposure, or the addiction they may cause. Another type of risk is often overlooked: that of microbial infection! It is, however, very real.
Where do these germs that colonize them come from? A 2019 UK survey found that most people used their phones in the toilet. So it’s no surprise to find that scans have found the valuable machines to be dirtier than toilet seats.
We also regularly give our phones to children (who aren’t really known for their hygiene) to play with. We also eat while using them and we put them on all kinds of (dirty) surfaces… We talk (sputter) on them, including when we are sick. These are all situations that can allow microbes to settle there permanently, and to find the food they will need to survive.
It is estimated that people touch their phones hundreds, if not thousands of times a day. And while many of us regularly wash our hands after using the bathroom, cooking, cleaning, shopping or gardening, it’s much more unlikely that we’ll consider washing our hands every time we touch it.
But given how contaminated phones can be with pathogens of all kinds, maybe it’s time to think more about their hygiene…
Germs, bacteria and viruses…
Our hands are constantly picking up bacteria and viruses, and are recognized as a common way to contract an infection. The same goes for the phones we touch. Many works have studied the fact that they can be colonized by microorganisms and have confirmed the possibility that they can be contaminated by cohorts of fungi, bacteria and other potentially pathogenic microorganisms.
Among the most commonly found in bacteria are E. coliwhich causes diarrhea (and which, by the way, comes from human feces), Staphylococcuswhich infect the skin, Actinobacteriawhich can cause tuberculosis and diphtheria, Citrobacterresponsible for painful urinary tract infections, and Enterococcus, known to cause meningitis. Of the Klebsiella, Micrococci, Proteus, Pseudomonas And Streptococcus have also been identified and all may have adverse effects on human health. Analyzes carried out on fifty telephones had revealed the presence of more than 7000 types of different bacteria.
Rather problematically, it appears that many of these pathogenic bacteria present are often antibiotic resistant, meaning they cannot be treated with conventional treatments. This is concerning, as they can cause potentially serious skin, intestinal and respiratory infections.
There is always the solution to clean your laptop with antibacterial wipes or alcohol… but it is established that it can always be recolonized afterwards. To have any effectiveness, disinfection must therefore be a regular habit.
But bacteria aren’t the only unwanted guests on our phones: there are viruses too…because the plastic they contain can harbor and transmit viruses. Some, like the common cold virus, can live on hard plastic surfaces for a week. Others, such as SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for Covid-19), rotavirus (a highly infectious gastric virus that usually affects babies and young children), influenza virus and norovirus (causing serious respiratory and intestinal infections) may persist in an infectious form for several days.
Clean your phone!
From the start of the Covid pandemic, national public health agencies issued guidelines to promote the cleaning and disinfection of cell phones – which, like doorknobs, ATMs and elevator buttons , have been identified as reservoirs of infection.
In particular, concerns have been expressed about their potential role in the spread of pathogens in hospitals and healthcare facilities, as well as in schools.
So many arguments that support the idea that cleaning your laptop should become a regular habit. The Federal Communications Commission of the United States even recommends daily cleaning of the telephone, among other devices, in particular because we are still in an active pandemic period for the Covid and this virus is resistant, able to survive several days of surfaces yet hostile a priori like plastic.
Use disinfectant or antiseptic wipes, or alcohol-based sprays, daily if possible. They must contain at least 70% alcohol to effectively sanitize cases and touchscreens – and don’t forget the edges and the back! If it is in a shell, remember to take it out regularly to clean it completely.
The silicone, the plastic and even the leather of the shells fully support the passage of slightly soapy hot water (to be rinsed afterwards) using a microfiber cloth or a clean soaked cloth.
Do not spray disinfectants directly and keep liquids away from connection points or other phone openings. Absolutely avoid using bleach or abrasive cleansers, detergents, etc., which can damage the case and screen. And wash your hands thoroughly after you finish.
Thinking more about how (and where) you use your phone will help you limit its colonization by germs… and the risk of being infected later by your own cell phone. So there are a few simple habits that can be relevant. When you are not at home, for example, keep your phone in your pocket or in your bag. Write your to-do list on paper instead of constantly checking your notes or apps. Touch your phone with clean hands – washed with soap and water or sanitized with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer…
There are other things you can do to prevent your phone from becoming a source of pathogens: Don’t share it with others if you’re sick and contagious and haven’t disinfected it first. If children are allowed to play with it, disinfect it as soon as possible afterwards.
Get in the habit of putting your phone away when not in use, then sanitizing or washing your hands. You can also disinfect your charger from time to time, since you are there…
This article was written by Primrose Freestone, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester (UK), and published on the site The Conversation.
