Mobile phones can transmit serious bacterial infections

General practitioner Andréi Kondrakhin has warned that neglecting mobile phone hygiene can lead to serious illnesses, including infections from Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Kondrakhin noted that Staphylococcus aureus can cause facial sores, while E. coli poses a significant risk if users touch their phones and then consume food.

These risks are supported by a 2020 study published in the journal Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease. Conducted by researchers at Bond University in Australia, the study analyzed 56 independent studies across 24 countries, concluding that mobile phones act as “Trojan horses” that contribute to the transmission of microbial infections during epidemics and pandemics.

To maintain hygiene, Kondrakhin recommends cleaning devices with specialized wipes at least once a day, avoiding taking phones to bed, and practicing regular hand washing with antiseptics.