An office may look clean but could in fact be a "gathering place" for germs. We need to take precautions against "germ traps" in the office for the sake of our health.

Trap 1: Office desks

Studies have found that office desks have 400 times more germs than toilets. Telephones, office equipment and documents passed between colleagues may all hold thriving colonies of germs.

Countermeasures: Use wet tissues to wipe telephones, office equipment and desk surfaces regularly. Try not to pile too many things on your desk.

Trap 2: Computer keyboards

The crevices between the keys of a keyboard are very hard to disinfect and clean. These spaces may contain remnants of food, water or respiratory droplets from a germ carrier. These may threaten our health at any time.

Countermeasures: Try not to eat in front of the computer; do not neglect to wipe and clean your keyboard regularly.

Trap 3: Photocopy machines, fax machines and door handles

As they are used by a large number of people, photocopy machines and fax machines carry more germs than we expect. Countless people come into contact with door handles at their offices everyday, making door handles major culprits in the transmission of germs.

Countermeasures: Wipe door handles with wet tissues or cloth regularly. Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose with your hands after you have touched photocopy machines, fax machines or door handles.

Trap 4: Pantries and toilets

Common equipment used in staff pantries such as coffee machines, microwave ovens and sinks, and toilet wash basins can easily become objects that spread and breed germs.

Countermeasures: Put up health awareness posters in these places. Wipe and clean common equipment regularly and try to keep washbasins dry as much as possible.

Different countermeasures can be used to deal with the four "germ traps" mentioned above. However, most importantly, we should wash our hands regularly with handwash in the correct manner.

How much do you know about outdoor germs?

We should be especially careful about germs when we go out to avoid falling ill. Below are five areas where one finds concentrations of germs:

Lift buttons: Countless people press lift buttons everyday. Therefore, the small buttons are hotbeds for germs, including the influenza virus. Certain germs can survive for several hours on such surfaces.

Escalator handrails: Many people rest their hands on the handrails of escalators, picking up germs without even realising it.

Automatic teller machines: Not all teller machines are disinfected and cleaned regularly. One runs a "double risk" of being infected by germs from the machine's keys and from the cash being withdrawn when one uses an automatic teller machine.

Yoga mats: Many people share the yoga mats provided by gyms. This is one way that germs can spread. It is better to bring your own mat.

Waiting areas: These are among the most likely places for germs to thrive and spread. If you have children with you, it is best to prepare toys or games to occupy them so that they do not go around touching things.

Apart from the above places, there are many other outdoor locations where germs tend to gather. Therefore, it is important that you wash your hands regularly, especially after you have used common facilities.

Some basic knowledge about food poisoning

Food poisoning includes bacterial food poisoning, for example, E.coli food poisoning; chemical food poisoning, for example, drug poisoning; animal and plant food poisoning, for example, lentil poisoning; and fungal food poisoning, for example, toxic mushroom poisoning. Among them, bacterial food poisoning is most common. Symptoms of having consumed food containing large amounts of germs include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, which may be accompanied by fever in some cases. If vomiting and diarrhoea become too severe, the victim may experience dehydration, acidosis or even lapse into shock or coma. If you find that you have contracted food poisoning, you should go to a clinic or hospital immediately.

To avoid food poisoning, one should pay attention to the following:

Develop the habit of washing your hands before you eat and after you have gone to the washroom. Wipe your hands with disinfecting towelettes when you are outside and it is not convenient for you to wash your hands.

Ensure that the cutlery you use is clean.

Vegetables and fruits that are eaten uncooked must be thoroughly cleaned.

Do not consume food left overnight which has gone slightly off.

Raw and cooked food must be handled separately.

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