Warning to smartwatch wearers – research finds band loaded with dangerous micro organism

In the journal Advances in Infectious Diseases, a group of researchers from Florida Atlantic University have made an alarming discovery.

Looking at 20 completely different smartwatch wristbands, 95 % of them have been contaminated with doubtlessly dangerous micro organism that might result in an infection and sickness.

Biological scientist Nwadiuto Esiobu mentioned: “Even at relatively low numbers these pathogens are of public health significance.”

Esiobu defined that the micro organism has the flexibility to “significantly affect the health of immunocompromised hosts”.

He added: “The quantity and taxonomy of bacteria we found on the wristbands show that there is a need for regular sanitation of these surfaces.”

This is alleged to be very true for healthcare staff and hospital workers who come into contact with weak sufferers.

The latest research highlighted how the fabric the smartwatch wristband was product of affected bacterial colonisation.

Esiobu mentioned: “Plastic and rubber wristbands may provide a more appropriate environment for bacterial growth as porous and static surfaces tend to attract and be colonised by bacteria.”

Meanwhile, silver or gold wristbands have been much less prone to have a colonisation of micro organism on them.

Those probably to have the best ranges of staphylococcal micro organism on their watch wristbands have been fitness center goers.

Staphylococcus

While Staphylococcus can dwell harmlessly on individuals’s pores and skin, in the event that they enter a minimize, the NHS says it could result in a pores and skin an infection.

Signs of a staphylococcus pores and skin an infection embrace:

• A painful purple lump or bump on the pores and skin
• Hot, purple and swollen pores and skin
• Sores, crusts or blisters
• Sore, purple eyelids or eyes.

The well being physique warns: “Staph bacteria can also cause more serious infections, like blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.”

Escherichia coli (E.coli)

An E.coli an infection can result in abdomen ache, bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure.

If the an infection develops into haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), though fee, it may be lethal.

Pseudomona

This kind of bacterial an infection tends to solely happen in those that have a weakened immune system.

The an infection can result in respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and intra-abdominal infections, amongst many extra.