
Five Everyday Habits That May Spread Germs, Warned by an Infectious-Disease Doctor
An infectious-disease physician highlights five common behaviors that can spread germs—improper handwashing before handling food, sneezing into hands instead of the elbow, overusing alcohol-based sanitizer, shaking hands in hospital settings, and wearing masks on the chin—and offers practical fixes: wash hands for at least 10 seconds with soap and water and dry thoroughly, sneeze into the elbow, avoid over-sanitizing, opt for elbow taps in healthcare, and keep masks properly worn to protect others.













