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Neckties have been found to carry infectious bacteria. Neckties worn
by doctors and clinicians were found to be eight times more likely
to harbor germs than were those of people not in contact with
patients. That little-known fashion update comes from a study
reported by the American Society for Microbiology. A medical student
at the Bruce Rappaport Facility of Medicine in Haifa, Israel,
noticed that physicians' neckties often come into contact with sick
patients or their bedding.
The medical student noticed that after examining a patient or
conducting a procedure, doctors would wash their hands and then
adjust their tie, recontaminating their hands. The student tested 42
neckties for germs and found significant amounts of infectious
bacteria.
While wearing a necktie is encouraged because ties are believed
to project an aura of professionalism and increase patients'
confidence, they may not be cleaned as often as other articles of
clothing.
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 Options to reduce the risk of disease transmission include
switching to bow ties or treating ties with a detergent spray.
Since the sample test was so small, scientists are considering
further studies with larger sample sizes to confirm the initial
findings. Meanwhile, it may be a good idea to forget fashion and
abandon wearing neckties altogether.
[Conrad F. Meier; "It's Your Health"]
"It's
Your Health" was written by Conrad Meier, senior fellow in
health policy at The Heartland
Institute. The program is produced as a public service by Radio
America.
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