Nail-biters and nose-pickers beware: you are putting yourself at risk of respiratory infections. Keep your hands away from your face to decrease your risk.

Your hands can pick up viruses and other germs from surfaces: countertops, desktops, pens, doorknobs and other people’s hands. If you then touch your nose or mouth, you transmit those germs to your own respiratory tract and can infect yourself with a cold, flu or other infection such as strep throat.