Is your cell phone making you sick?

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - What do you get when you add colder weather, close proximity to others and germs? For many people, it equals getting sick.

We're officially in flu season, but there are steps you can take to avoid catching the bug.
     
The best way is still what you learned in elementary school: washing your hands.

"Usually germs are transferred on your hands," said Suzanne Tucker, an Infection Control nurse at Union Hospital. "You pick those germs up on surfaces such as keyboards, shopping carts, and doorknobs."

One of the biggest ways that sicknesses spread is by passing germs, something that happens often when you're at a common place like a computer. However, you may be surprised to learn that one of the dirtiest places for germs is actually your cell phone."

"Those are close proximity to your mouth, you get those germs from your mucus membrane either by talking into the cell phone you can transmit those germs," said Tucker.
     
To clean electronics, just use a disinfectant wipe.
     
If you do pick up an illness, it's important to avoid contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth.
     
Touching these areas and spreading the germs can lead to other sicknesses such as pink eye or MRSA.
     
In the end, it all comes down to the basics.

"Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, exercise, control your stress, that's important," said Tucker.