GP reveals you should be disinfecting your bank card once a week because it could be contaminated from previous users all touching the same reader amid coronavirus outbreak
Exclusive: Dr Chike Emeagi explained it’s possible for the coronavirus to survive long enough on the flat surface of a card reader to be transferred to your card
Compared to touching door knobs and explained that germs can hide in the nooks and crannies of watches, rings, credit cards and bank notes
He recommends disinfecting your cards and jewellery once a week
A GP has revealed how debit and credit cards can carry microbes from those who have used the same card reader before you, including bacteria such as salmonella and E.Coli.
Former orthopaedic surgeon Dr Chike Emeagi, Medical Director of Hampstead Aesthetics Clinic and Dr Chike Clinics, told FEMAIL that while the risk is low, it is still possible for coronavirus particles to survive long enough on the flat surface of a card reader to be transferred to your card.
He explained that germs can hide in the nooks and crannies of watches, rings, credit cards and bank notes, and recommends disinfecting your cards and jewellery once a week.
Comparing credit cards to touching door knobs and handles, he suggested using disinfectant wipes to clean cards, and warm water and soap for jewellery.
Dr Chike said: ‘I can certainly envisage a scenario where your card could be contaminated with microbes from those whom have used the exact same card reader previously.
‘Germs can hide in nooks and crannies in objects including watches, rings, credit cards, coins and bank notes – things we ordinarily would not worry about.
‘Because of limited knowledge of this virus and how it came about extreme vigilance to hygiene is paramount.
‘The issue is that from an infection point of view, handling a credit card is similar to touching any other surface – doorknobs, stair-rails etc.
‘Any surface has potential to harbour germs-bacteria and viruses.’
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