“There are so many bacteria that can reside on a toothbrush; therefore, it is always best to get rid of it once you have been infected with some sort of viral or bacterial illnesses,” Rosen says.
Experts recommend switching out your toothbrush every three months, and keeping it at least 3 feet away from the toilet. The toilet can be a breeding ground for airborne droplets released by flushing the toilet.
Also, never share you toothbrush.
Rosen says sharing a toothbrush can lead to infections like bloodborne disease (Hepatitis B or C) or bacterial infections. The same thing goes for sharing makeup – which can lead to contracting oral herpes, or pink eye.
Lip balms and mascara are typically safe. They contain anti-microbial ingredients, which reduce the amount of germs breeding within them, Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology and environmental sciences at the University of Arizona, told Today.com.
Make sure to clean countertops, tables, remote controls and other hard surfaces after a case of the cold or flu. Germs can live on these surfaces for up to 24 hours, making them easy to spread to those touching them.
Here are some tips for cleaning surfaces without contracting any germs:
- Apply a cleaner-disinfectant to any hard surface that is commonly used in the household and leave it on for three to five minutes.
- Rinse the surface and let it air dry.
- Always wear gloves.
- Open windows if using any products with bleach.
- Use white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide when looking make homemade cleaners.
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Experts Say It’s OK To Keep Your Toothbrush After The Cold Or Flu was originally published on blackdoctor.org
