Are Cell Phones Germ Breeders?

Researcher Says They're Worse Than Toilet Seats, Doorknobs

(CBS)  But Senay questioned the assertion that the warmth of cell phones could make them more likely to harbor germs, saying she spoke to "a couple of experts who said that's something that would really have to be studied to prove that were true. Some think the warmth of the cell phone may actually kill the germs. So, I'm not so sure about that angle of it.

"Nevertheless, if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. If I have my phone and have a little cold and you need to borrow it, I've just passed it (the cold) to you."

The bottom line, at least for now, said Senay, is that, "There are no scientific studies that we were able to turn up, or that I'm aware of, that would suggest that people have gotten sick or that this is a major public health problem, cell phones. It stands to reason, though, that if someone does have a germ and they pass it around to other people, or they've picked up a germ somewhere, used their cell phone and brought it to their face, they could potentially be passing germs to themselves."

Are there steps that could be taken to minimize any risk?

"The first thing we should all do all the time," Senay said, "whenever we've gone to the bathroom or cooked in our kitchen or shaken hands with somebody, is wash our hands. Washing your hands is a great way to reduce all sorts of infections.

"The second thing, which some manufacturers and cell phone technicians recommend, is that you use (antibacterial) wipes. Simply wipe the phone down, avoiding, obviously, the charging port and the battery, and that is something you should do sort of frequently to keep the germs off the cell phone.

"One other thing: Some companies are actually coming out now with germ-resistant cell phones. Motorola is making (one). That would be for people who are really paranoid. This claims to have a coating that will inhibit bacteria and mold growth."