Airport Touchscreens: Bacteria And Feces, A Concern?

Touch screens are everywhere, from airport check-in kiosks to fast-food restaurants and grocery stores. While these screens have improved the way we travel and interact with technology, they have also become hotspots for harmful bacteria, including faecal bacteria. A study by London Metropolitan University found faecal matter on every touchscreen they tested across eight McDonald's restaurants in the UK. Airport check-in screens were found to have even more bacteria than the flush button on airplane bathrooms, with an average of 253,857 colony-forming units per square inch. The presence of faecal bacteria on these screens can be attributed to poor hand hygiene and the high number of people using them daily. This raises concerns about the spread of infections and the increasing resistance of pathogens to common antibiotics. Good hand hygiene and sanitising practices are essential to reducing the risk of contracting or spreading diseases from touch screens.

Airport touchscreens are dirtier than airplane flush buttons

Airport touchscreens are a breeding ground for bacteria, including fecal matter, and are significantly dirtier than airplane flush buttons.

A study by InsuranceQuotes.com found that airport check-in touchscreens had an average of 253,857 colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria and fungus per square inch, compared to an average of 95,145 CFU on airplane flush buttons. This is particularly concerning given that infection-causing bacteria from human and animal feces have been found on most public touch screens.

The high levels of bacteria on airport touchscreens can be attributed to the large number of people who use them daily without proper hand hygiene. A single touchscreen at one of the airports tested had over a million CFU, which is alarming. These bacteria can cause various health issues, from skin infections to more severe conditions like meningitis, urinary tract infections, septicemia, and toxic shock syndrome.

The London Metropolitan University study, which tested McDonald's touchscreens, found fecal bacteria on every screen, including Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria. Dr. Paul Matewele, a senior lecturer in microbiology, expressed concern over the high prevalence of gut and fecal bacteria on these screens, stating that they can spread disease.

To protect yourself from these harmful bacteria, it is essential to practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, especially after using public touchscreens and before eating. While facilities sanitize their screens, it is not practical to do so after each use, so personal hygiene is crucial.

So, the next time you're at the airport, you might want to think twice before touching those check-in kiosks and remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer afterward.

Bacteria found on airport touchscreens include Enterococcus faecalis, staphylococcus, and listeria

Touchscreens in public spaces are often covered in bacteria, and airport touchscreens are no exception. In fact, airport check-in screens are particularly dirty, with an average of 253,857 colony-forming units of bacteria per square inch.

The presence of these bacteria on airport touchscreens is concerning, as they can easily spread diseases and cause infections in individuals with weakened immune systems. It is important for people to be aware of the potential risks associated with using public touchscreens and to practice good hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently, to reduce the spread of harmful bacteria.

While the presence of bacteria on airport touchscreens is an issue, it is important to note that not all bacteria are harmful. Some bacteria, such as the probiotic bacteria found on airport check-in kiosks, can be beneficial to human health. However, the high number of colony-forming units and the presence of potentially dangerous bacteria on these screens are still cause for concern.

Touching airport touchscreens can make you sick

The bacteria found on airport touchscreens include Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), which is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract and can cause fever, fatigue, headache, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea. Staphylococcus, found on the skin and in the noses of 25% of the population, can cause blood poisoning, pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome, skin infections, and food poisoning if it enters the body through an open wound or is ingested. Listeria, a rarer bacterium found in human and animal feces, can also be present on touchscreens and can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

To protect yourself from these harmful bacteria, it is important to practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching surfaces in airports and other public places. Hand sanitizer can also be useful when soap and water are not available. While facilities sanitize their screens, it is not practical to do so after each use, so it is up to individuals to maintain their personal hygiene to stay safe.

So, the next time you're at the airport, remember to keep your hands clean, especially before and after touching those touchscreens and before handling food.

The bacteria found on airport touchscreens can cause miscarriages and stillbirths

Airport touchscreens are teeming with bacteria, including bacteria from human and animal feces. A study by Insurance Quotes found an average of 253,857 colony-forming units per square inch on airport check-in screens. These screens are a hotspot for harmful bacteria, which may be the reason why many people fall sick after traveling.

While many of the bacteria found on airport touchscreens are relatively common, some can cause serious health issues. For instance, Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is a type of bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract and is known to cause infections in hospitals. It can lead to fever, fatigue, headache, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea, and in severe cases, it can result in meningitis or urinary tract infections.

Another concerning bacterium frequently found on public touch screens is Staphylococcus, often called "staph." Staph is commonly found on the skin and noses of people but typically does not cause disease in the carrier. However, if it enters an open wound or is ingested, it can lead to blood poisoning, pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome, skin infections, and food poisoning.

Perhaps one of the most alarming discoveries on airport touchscreens is the presence of Listeria, a rare and dangerous foodborne bacterium. Listeria can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. It is highly contagious and poses a significant threat to those with weakened immune systems. The presence of Listeria on public touch screens is especially disturbing as it is usually associated with foodborne outbreaks.

The high prevalence of gut and fecal bacteria on airport touchscreens is concerning due to their potential health risks. Good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, are essential to minimize the risk of infection. While facilities sanitize their screens, it is impractical to do so after each use. Therefore, individuals must take responsibility for their hygiene after interacting with these screens.

The disinfectant used to clean airport touchscreens may not be strong enough

Airport touchscreens are known to be hotspots for harmful bacteria, including bacteria from human and animal feces. A study by Insurance Quotes found an average of 253,857 colony-forming units per square inch on airport check-in screens, with one screen recording over a million CFU.

While facilities do sanitize their screens during and after the business day, it is not practical to do so after each customer uses it. This means that the disinfectant used may not be strong enough to kill all the bacteria, as suggested by Dr. Paul Matewele, a senior lecturer in microbiology at London Metropolitan University.

In response to a study that found fecal bacteria on McDonald's touchscreens, Matewele stated that the disinfectant used to clean the screens must not be strong enough to kill all the bacteria. This is a concerning issue, as these bacteria can cause various infections and illnesses, with some being particularly dangerous for those with weakened immune systems.

To address this issue, it is recommended to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water after using airport touchscreens and before eating. While disinfectant may not be strong enough, good hygiene practices can help reduce the risk of infection.

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