Take the Germs Quiz
Germs: We find them everywhere—or they find us. It seems we can't avoid them. We spend a lot of time worrying about picking them up, sharing them, and losing them. But what do we really know about germs? Take this quiz to find out.
1. Germs are most likely to thrive in this room of the house:
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The answer is the kitchen, and the key is the word "thrive." Bathrooms generally host more bacteria and germs than kitchens, but most people know that and take proper precautions, such as cleaning with disinfectants. Bedrooms, even those where bedridden children sniffle from colds, don't hold the germs for long because cold viruses die quickly, and even viruses that remain "alive" quickly lose their potency once outside the body. Kitchens, however, provide an environment where bacteria can grow, often undetected. Many bacterial intestinal tract illnesses are picked up from cutting boards that are wiped—not washed—after being used to cut raw chicken. The key to avoiding kitchen germs is to cook at the proper temperatures, disinfect preparation surfaces, and wash utensils after handling raw meat or chicken.
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