Can viruses and bacteria be transmitted on coins or notes, which pass through so many hands?
What is the likelihood of catching something unpleasant from money, and if it does harbour disease, what might I catch? Finally, what is the average number of germs likely to be hitching a ride on coins or paper money? • Transmission of microorganisms is possible from any place where they are attached. How many will be transferred from coins or notes depends on a series of factors such as the number of organisms present and their ability to survive in such a dry environment, in which many will die. The form of contact also makes a difference, whether it be by touching contaminated money, which can transfer the organisms to the hand, or the “hoovering” that occurs when people snort drugs through a banknote. The latter is obviously a more direct way of carrying germs into your nasal passages. The number of individual viruses or bacteria needed to make you ill also counts. For viruses, it can be as high as 100,000 or as low as 10. One more factor is whether any germs taken in from money w
