Is Your Purse Making You Sick?

You may be carrying more in (and on) your purse than you thought? Ladies handbags are a breeding ground for germs and viruses. As you change your purse over to your fall collection take heart on what is in it and where you place it.
When we think of E Coli (bacteria) we think of undercooked beef and contaminated water. However the E Coli bug is often found on bathroom floors and many women out of necessity place their bags on that dirty floor. Now, you probably will not eat off of the bottom of your purse, however how many times have you placed that same bag on a table or counter near food? This is how bugs travel from the environment into your system.
Other bugs lurking on the outside of your handbag include: Salmonella, which are germs that are found in feces which causes diarrhea, the influenza virus that causes the flu, staphylococcus which causes conjunctivitis Legal Definition Of Treatment in eyes, the herpes virus which causes cold sores and even superbugs such as the bacteria that causes MRSA (methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus ). That’s a lot of hitchhikers on your expensive tote.
The inside of your designer bag is not any safer. Paper money and coins carry numerous germs, your cell phone can hold on to viruses for up to three days, your lip balm if shared with friends can Global Health Issues Definition give you the herpes virus and your trusty environmentally friendly water bottle can harbor the E Coli bug which infects you with food poisoning if it is not regularly washed in warm soapy water.
A women’s purse goes everywhere, including the toilet stall and as a result it can tote around more than just your daily essentials. Use your common sense on where to place your bag. Never set a purse on a surface where food will be prepared or eaten. You just never know where it has been. And take the time to clean out the contents of your bag regularly and wipe down surfaces, including the handle or strap with disposable disinfectant wipes.