We learned about items that tend to be covered in germs on this segment of DelmarvaLife. Clinical Microbiologist Beth Prouse, with Peninsula Regional Medical Center, visited the DelmarvaLife Office to conduct a bacteria swab on a few items.

Cell Phone

Beth says the cell phone she tested came back very clean. She says she found two colonies on the phone, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Computer Mouse

Beth says there a few more colonies on the computer mouse she tested, but nothing that posed a health risk.

Fitness Tracker

After testing a fitness tracker that’s worn around the wrist, Beth says she found a higher number of organisms that are consistent with what would be found on the skin. She considers what was found on the fitness tracker, “normal.”

Shoe

Beth tested the bottom of a shoe and says while what she found was “horrible,” the organisms were similar to those found in the environment. She adds, families who have young children who tend to put everything in their mouth, may want to start taking off their shoes at the door.