Vacuums, gym stuff and menus harbor germs

EMMAUS, Pa., April 24 (UPI) -- Germs can lurk in some surprising places such as the vacuum cleaner brush, weight-lifting gloves and restaurant menus, U.S. researchers report.

The May issue of Men's Health magazine on newsstands this week reports that University of Arizona recently found 50 percent of the vacuum brushes they tested contained fecal bacteria -- 13 percent with E. coli. All of the brushes contained mold. Vacuuming can transfer the germs from contaminated surfaces to uncontaminated ones or from kitchen to living room.

The magazine recommends spraying the vacuum brush with a disinfectant after every use.

A 2004 Japanese study found that staph bacteria bind strongly to polyester, used in many weightlifting gloves. Ditch the gloves because using weights with bare hands will strengthen the grip and forearms and then wash hands and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, says Men's Health muscle export Mike Mejia.

A recent Journal of Medical Virology reports that cold and flu viruses can survive on hard surfaces such as restaurant menus for 18 hours. Men's Health advises to never let the menu touch your plate or silverware and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after ordering.