Print
Touchscreen devices are everywhere, from GPS units to smartphones and MP3 players. Want to know what they all have in common (other than touch displays)? Germs.
"If you're sharing the device, then you're sharing your influenza with someone else who touches it," said Timoty Julian, a Stanford University doctoral student who co-authored a study on the spread of viruses.
Julian, and those like him, spend their time worrying about all those touchscreen devices harboring germs and viruses. But do they have reason to worry?
"If you put a virus on a surface, like an iPhone, about 30 percent of it will get on your fingertips," Julian said. "A fair amount of it may go from your fingers to your eyes, mouth, or nose."
What do you think, Maximum PC readers -- is this a legitimate concern, or much ado about nothing?
Comments are closed on this article
Links of London
December 08, 2010 at 9:52pm
I’m delighted that I have observed this weblog. Finally anything not a junk, which we go through incredibly frequently. The website is lovingly serviced and kept up to date. So it need to be, thank you for sharing this with us.
Keith E. Whisman
October 16, 2010 at 6:17pm
And you know when I'm using the school library and public library computers I love to keep my fingers moistened with my saliva, same thing with turning pages. Damn I can't understand why I'm always sick.
Rudder2
October 16, 2010 at 2:45am
As someone who doesn't like to come in contact with other germs because of the nasty people who don't wash their hands. So that makes me the asshole who refuses to lend my devices to anyone at all cost. It's not that I don't want to lend it to them but all I see is they could be the person who doesn't wash their hands after they crap. I do know germs are everywhere but I can minimalize the exposure. The touch screen makes no change in the world, even buttons pose the same threat. So they need not to condem touch screens.
riopato
October 15, 2010 at 4:37pm
on all the ipads at a local apple store in nyc. Amongst other usual germs found everywhere, they found traces of feces and hepatitis! I wished I can find that test report so I can post the link in this comments.
Bullwinkle J Moose
October 16, 2010 at 6:58am
Sounds more like the vegetables at your local grocery store!
tri8gman
October 15, 2010 at 10:58am
Touchscreens introduce nothing new to the table, germophia-wise.
Ghok
October 15, 2010 at 9:13am
I don't like germs, but know they're everywhere already... so no big deal.
The problem with screens is that it doesn't take long before they look pretty gross.
skirge01
October 15, 2010 at 7:50am
...who don't even wash their hands after using the bathroom, this is a definite concern. However, since I know I can't change other people's disgusting habits, I just wash my hands 10 times more than everyone else. It's amazing what good hygiene can do for keeping you healthy.
Mark17
October 15, 2010 at 5:43am
Wouldn't the risk be the same with any device you touch whether it be a touch screen or a physical keyboard?
aerogamer
October 15, 2010 at 5:43am
This problem affects (effects?) only touchscreens. Buttons, doorknobs/handles, keyboards, mice, your mom, steering wheels, coffee pots, snozberry flavored wallpaper; none of these share germs.
orca11
October 15, 2010 at 7:58am
Exactaly. Sounds like a case of tecno-paranoia. btw.. "snozberry flavored wallpaper" ftw!
