Keeping your mobile phone clean can help prevent various illnesses.

From the number of surfaces we place them on to each time we touch them with unclean hands or allow someone else to do so.

According to a review of past studies conducted in 2020, scientists found that mobile phones around the world harbor a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria and other pathogens that can cause diseases.

As we carry our phones everywhere, it's crucial to understand the importance of properly disinfecting them.

Bill Sullivan, Ph.D., studies infectious diseases in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He discusses which microorganisms can be found on phones and what can be done to protect ourselves.

What microorganisms may inhabit your phone?

Numerous studies have detected a wide variety of microbes on mobile phones. These include skin bacteria such as staphylococci (including the hard-to-treat MRSA variant) and streptococci, as well as fecal bacteria like E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis. These bacteria can lead to skin infections, pharyngitis, or gastrointestinal illnesses accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Viruses commonly found on mobile phones include norovirus, which can survive on surfaces for several days and cause vomiting and diarrhea upon infection, as well as respiratory viruses that can lead to pneumonia or influenza. By the way, we are currently in the midst of a norovirus outbreak, which is not uncommon in winter months as the cold helps viruses survive on surfaces (including phones).

What is your risk of getting sick through your phone?

Overall, very young people, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to these infections. These categories of users should take extra precautions to keep their phones clean. Parents who allow small children to use their phones should wash them before and after the child handles them.

While several studies have established that these microorganisms are present on mobile phones, it is not entirely clear that they are the primary source of infections causing widespread diseases—further research is needed to confirm this assertion. However, since phones are undoubtedly known carriers of germs, it makes sense to keep them clean.

What precautions should be taken to avoid illness from microorganisms on your phone?

The risk of infection is real, so simple precautions can be taken to avoid getting sick. These include:

• Do not use your phone in the bathroom, and wash your hands thoroughly before picking it up.
• Do not place your phone on surfaces that may harbor germs.
• If you use your phone in a medical facility or hospital, disinfect it afterward.
• If someone else uses your phone, disinfect it afterward.
• Avoid touching your face, mouth, and eyes with unclean hands.
• When talking on the phone, avoid letting it touch your cheeks or mouth.
• Disinfect your phone at least once a day.
• Always wash or sanitize your hands before eating.

How to properly clean your phone?

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for disinfecting the device; alcohol wipes that do not damage electronics usually work well.