Table of contents:
- Types and risks of disease from bacteria on banknotes and coins
- Paper Money
- Coins
- Hand hygiene must still be maintained
Money is one of the dirtiest things because it is inhabited by various types of bacteria. For this reason, it is recommended that you always wash your hands thoroughly after handling notes or coins. Unfortunately, even though they already understand and understand this, people often forget or ignore the obligation to wash their hands after making direct contact with money. Bacteria or germs on banknotes and coins can stick to your hands, and then most likely enter your body whether you know it or not when you touch your eyes, nose, or maybe your mouth.
Types and risks of disease from bacteria on banknotes and coins
Given that money has passed from one hand to another, it's no wonder that there are hundreds to thousands of bacteria and germs on money. Research shows that a banknote carries 3,000 types of bacteria. Most of the bacteria found were of the type commonly found on human skin, and the rest were similar to bacteria in the mouth.
While the amount and type of bacteria on banknotes and coins varies from country to country, you can use some outside research to shed light on how dirty the money you handle every day.
Paper Money
Dr. Ted Pope and other researchers initiated a study of banknotes collected from food vendors and grocery stores. Dr. Ted revealed that there are a number of bacteria that are known to cause food poisoning and pneumonia in humans.
Dr. Ted and colleagues also identified as many as 93 bacteria on the banknotes they obtained. Five of the bills contained bacteria that can cause infection or pneumonia in healthy people.
From a total of 59 bills used as research material, several bacteria were found, such as:
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
- Enterobacter
- Escherichia vulneris
All of these bacteria are known to cause various types of diseases, especially infections in individuals with weak immune systems.
Coins
Although coins you probably use less frequently these days than banknotes, the bacteria in pennies, according to Shirley Lowe of the University of California, has nearly as much bacteria.
Shirley states, "The studies that I have conducted not only found the same number of bacteria, but also 18 percent of the coins used in the study contained organisms that are pathogens (micro-organisms that have the potential to cause disease)."
On the other hand, Shirley claims that there really is no need to worry too much about this. This is based on the reason because there are no cases of infectious diseases caused by bacteria from money. The organisms found in money have the potential to cause disease. However, the number of bacteria transmitted from banknotes and coins must be significant and this is very rare.
Hand hygiene must still be maintained
However, even though bacteria on banknotes or coins are quite rare to cause contracting diseases, that doesn't mean you forget the importance of maintaining personal hygiene, especially your hands. If you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water, always have them available and use them hand sanitizer.
In addition, avoid touching the area around the face, especially around the mouth, nose, and eyes before washing your hands or making sure your hands are free of bacteria.
Nobody knows where from and who has come into contact with the money that you use every day. Even money is believed to be something that is dirtier than the toilet. Therefore, always try to wash your hands when you have time or remember. Personal hygiene can only be taken care of from yourself.
