Bacteria and viruses can be found all over your home, and can potentially cause illnessses, so it's important to show them who's boss. Here you can learn more about common household germs and how you can protect your home and family from them.

Common Bacteria

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Responsible for:

Wide range of infections, especially amongst people who are already sick.

Hands washed under tap with soap

Escherichia coli

Responsible for:

Commonly known as E Coli, can cause sickness, severe diarrhoea and abdominal pain.


Rare meat next to salad

Legionella

Responsible for:

Legionnaires’ disease, Pontiac Fever, Lochgoilhead Fever

 

 

Running water from shower head

Listeria

Responsible for:

Food poisoning - fever, vomiting, diarrhoea. 

Soft cheese

Staphylococcus aureus

Responsible for:

From a minor boil or skin abscess to life-threatening infections like septicaemia. MRSA is a strain of bacterium which can cause severe infection.

Woman clutching her arm

Salmonella

Responsible for:

Food poisoning - sickness and diarrhoea.

Eggs in a bowl

Enterococcus hirae

Responsible for:

Can cause a wide range of infections, particularly affecting the urinary tract, abdomen, blood, wounds etc

Man planting vegetables