{
  "id": 134756,
  "title": "15 Habits Infectious Disease Experts Swear By to Avoid Getting Sick",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/27/15-habits-infectious-disease-experts-swear-by-to-avoid-getting-sick",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-07-27T15:38:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/07/27/habits-infectious-disease-doctors-avoid-getting-sick/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Infectious disease specialists don't adopt extreme measures to avoid illness. They've developed simple daily habits that minimize risk without sacrificing enjoyment. We interviewed six experts to identify their non-negotiable practices.\n\nSet up your kitchen to prevent cross-contamination. Jill Roberts, a molecular epidemiologist, uses color-coded cutting boards to separate raw and ready-to-eat foods. She prepares salads first, then handles raw meat, sanitizing all surfaces thoroughly afterwards.\n\nProperly wash produce, not by soaking it in a bowl. Dr. Heidi Torres, an infectious disease physician, recommends scrubbing fruits and vegetables under running water while gently rubbing with hands for about 30 seconds. Soaking may not be as effective since contaminated water can spread to other produce.\n\nMicrowave kitchen sponges to kill germs. Sponge and dishcloth bacteria thrive in damp, warm environments. Rinsing sponges briefly isn't enough. Microwaving them for 20 seconds, while still wet, destroys most bacteria.\n\nBrush teeth for infection control. Dr. Heidi Torres believes oral health is crucial for overall health. Brushing prevents dental infections that can lead to bloodstream infections affecting vital organs. Rinsing alone isn't sufficient to remove bacteria.\n\nConsider replacing bathroom rugs. Bath mats near the toilet can harbor athlete's foot and other germs. Dr. Jill Roberts suggests replacing them weekly and ensuring they dry thoroughly between uses. Wet bathroom mats should be laundered to prevent bacterial growth.\n\nKeep shoes off the floor. Every surface outside the home is touched by countless others. Dr. Cesar Ortiz advises removing shoes at the door to avoid tracking dirt, pet dander, and other pathogens into the house. Hospitals follow strict shoe protocols to prevent cross-contamination.",
  "summary": "They follow surprisingly simple rules to prevent illness.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}