Things you should never touch in a movie theater

MOTsHEALTH/Hygiene 
7 Things You Should Never Touch in a Movie theater.

Sarah Chang..

Oscar nominations are out — and if you’re anything like us, that means you’ve got some quality time planned with your local movie theater. But before settling in for that 7 p.m. showing, think about what else you may be getting with your ticket. Yes, we’re talking about germs, bacteria, and all the other icky stuff.

Here are seven things you should never touch at a movie theater.

The Seats

As is detailed in his book, The Secret Life of Germs, microbiologist Philip Tierno, PhD, found group B strep and fecal matter on movie theater seats. And although infrequent, bedbug infestations have been known to shut down theaters. If you want to see a film on the big screen, there’s no way of avoiding the seats, but you can take some precautions. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and wash them once you get home. And if you’re feeling extra paranoid, consider investing in some of these nifty seat covers. (We’ve never seen a movie-goer using one, but there’s a first time for everything.)

The Floor

Donna Duberg, assistant professor of clinical laboratory science at Saint Louis University, recommends being cautious when it comes to the floor. “Researchers have found fecal material on the theater seats and floor,” she tells Yahoo Health — and this fecal material is “host to many bacteria, especially E. coli.” Consider holding your purse or bag on your lap instead of stashing it below your feet.

The Seat Armrests and Cup Holders

These can be literally teeming with germs. According to Duberg, they’re touched multiple times a day and are rarely (if ever) sanitized. “We put those sweet drinks that have been held by our germ-ridden hands into those holders,” she says. “The bacteria just keep on multiplying and wait for the next patron to sit down and put their drink up and carry the germs, including staph (Staphylococcus), to their mouth. It’s a quick jump to a respiratory infection.”
Wipe down the armrests and cup holder with an antibacterial wipe before touching anything — if you’re in a bind, Duberg says a napkin and squirt of hand sanitizer will do. (Just make sure that sanitizer contains 60 percent alcohol or more.)

The Popcorn/Concession Stand

Movie theaters should be following the same standards as restaurants, including storing food safely at appropriate temperatures and keeping food-preparation tools (including hot-dog warmers and popcorn machines) clean and sanitary.
“The concession stands are like mini fast-food places where snacks are dispensed quickly and the clean-up is minimal at best,” Duberg says. “Sugary treats, especially liquids like soda, stick on the counters and are a great breeding place for bacteria, which are then transferred to every person who picks up their order.” Be aware of your surroundings and look for signs that staff may not be following appropriate protocol. The bottom line: If it looks dirty, it probably is.

The Cups

A study led by Charles Gerba, PhD, a professor of microbiology at University of Arizona in Tucson, found that 17 percent of disposable coffee cup lips tested positive for fecal matter. The same goes for fountain drinks — any time an employee is fitting a lid on your beverage, you’re at risk of contamination. We say it’s time to skip the super-size soda and go for bottled water. Bonus: It’s better for your health.

The 3-D Glasses

3-D films are more popular than ever — and who doesn’t love a multi-sensory experience?. But beware — those glasses are plain old filthy. A study by The Good Housekeeping Institute tested wrapped and unwrapped glasses, discovering bacteria on all samples. Although most of what they found was benign, one pair had traces of Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin infections and pink eye. Swipe these with antibacterial wipes before using.

The Air You Breathe

It sounds a little extreme, but enclosed spaces during cold and flu season can be a breeding ground for germs. “If someone near you is coughing and sneezing, consider moving,” Duberg says. “A good sneeze or cough can shoot bacteria and viruses out five to eight feet from the ill person.” Because viruses can survive on surfaces for up to eight hours, she also recommends never touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with hands that haven’t been sanitized or washed. And, on that note, always wash your hands before getting to the theater and after leaving.