- Typically there are between 10,000 and 10 million bacteria on each hand.
- Damp hands spread 1,000 times more germs than dry hands.
- The number of germs on your fingertips doubles after you use the toilet.
- Bacteria 40 million years old have been extracted and successfully grown from a fossilised bee.
- In 1918 more people died from the influenza virus (approximately 30 million) than died in the First World War (10 million).
- When you cough germs can travel about 3 metres if you do not put your hand or a handkerchief over your nose and mouth.
- Studies show only about 70% of people wash their hands after using a public toilet.