Your Money Is Dirtier Than You Think: Currency Spreads Life-Threatening Bacterial Infections

While cash is one thing you cannot do without, it can be a big threat to your health. While money makes the world go around, it turns out that it also serves as a vehicle for various dangerous and life-threatening,

disease-causing bacteria. The money you handle is extremely dirty as it goes around many hands and can be inhabited by several concerning bacteria, as well as other harmful pathogens – all of which put your health at risk. Paper currency provides an ideal surface for germs. Made from cotton-based fibers, banknotes trap moisture, sweat, food residue, and dirt, creating the perfect environment for microbes to survive for long periods. Coins – even though they are metallic, are not entirely safe either. While some metals have mild antimicrobial properties, many pathogens can still survive on their surfaces for hours or even days.

Money carries bacteria

Studies say even though some of the microbes are not harmful, many result in sickness. Cultures taken from samples have found that 13 per cent of coins and 42 per cent of paper currency were contaminated with harmful pathogens like antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In various US studies, drugs like cocaine and heroin, as well as yeast and fungi, have also been found. Researchers in Australia also identified at least ten microbes per square centimetre – a worrying reveal. The danger only steepens since cash changes hands so frequently and rarely gets cleaned. A single note may pass through dozens of people in a single day, and someone coughing into their hand, another handling food, or visiting a hospital or public restroom only makes it worse. Each exchange only adds a new layer of contamination. For those who have weakened immune systems - including the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses- this exposure can be especially dangerous.Also read: Untreatable Superbugs Are Infecting Newborns; Doctors Warn Antibiotics Are No Longer Working Against These Killer Bacteria

How to protect yourself from contamination?

According to experts, the solution is not to just panic or abandon cash, but to be mindful. There are many simple hygiene practices that can reduce the risk of falling sick with bacterial contamination. A few of these include:

• Washing hands regularly, especially after handling money and before eating, is crucial.
• Using alcohol-based hand sanitisers when soap and water are not available can help kill germs.
• Food handlers should avoid touching cash while preparing meals, and businesses can encourage contactless payments where possible.

The rise of digital and contactless payments has already reduced dependence on physical cash in many places, offering a cleaner alternative. However, cash will always be a major part of your daily life, and so, it is important to understand its hidden risks, which can empower you to take small but meaningful steps to protect your health. Money may make the world go round, but it also carries unseen dangers. Treating cash with the same caution as other high-touch surfaces can help prevent infections and keep both individuals and communities safer.