CELLPHONES CAN MAKE YOU SICK (c) By Polly Guerin

Electronic devices---cellphones, IPhones and Blackberrys may be the source of modern communications but they are also the reason a lot of people are getting sick. Really? You ask. Can this be so? Yes, indeed, these modern tools of convenience also bring and harbor germs with them. According to a medical study bacteria from a phone can cause flu, pinkeye and even diarrhea. Germs are lurking everywhere and people need to be careful about sharing photos with strangers. Even members of a family sharing phones can transfer germs between one another. The proximity of a cellphone to your ears, nose and mouth are the perfect environment for germs to lurk undetected.

THE HEALTH RISK Once it was thought that all we needed to do was to wash our hands to safeguard our health, but most everyone is at risk today. Even though you may clean your computer, pens, keys and landline phones very little thought seems to go into cleaning cell phones, which attract bacteria in an unsuspecting but alarming rate. The cause can be attributed to the fact that these devices have become like extra appendages to one’s body. People take them everywhere---plugged into their ear on the street, to the health club, to the restaurant and even into public bathrooms. There the greedy little cell phones zap up bacteria in an alarming rate.

CLEAN IT NOW You don’t go anywhere without your electronics so keep it clean and remove dirt, grim, fingerprints or facial oils, and ladies ‘makeup,’ that may prevent your smart phone from working properly because of the germ buildup. It is important to ‘not’ use the usual household products to clean electronics, but to find a line of cleaners intended specifically for electronic devices. In any case to sanitize the product it is best to read the advice in the manufacturer’s manual. It usually cautions about using aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia or abrasives, all of which may harm screens.

BE A HAPPY-GO-EVERYWHERE ELECTRONIC USER BUT KEEP IN STEP WITH YOUR HEALTH AND FIND PRODUCTS SPECIFICALLY FOR MOBILE PHONE CLEANING.