Winter gear is full of germs

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Have you ever wiped your runny nose with your glove? We have our coats, scarves and gloves. But think about how many things you touch with your gloves every day. Doctors say if you don't wash them or wash them enough, you're probably spreading germs and risking making yourself and others sick.

Your winter gear can protect you from the cold but not from germs. Dr. Manny Alvarez, is the Fox News senior managing health editor, says the flu virus, norovirus and other germs can live on your gloves and scarves.

"They're very exposed to viruses and bacteria," Dr. Alvarez says.

The solution, she say, is to wash your gloves and scarves at least once a week and clean your coats, too.

"You're contaminating the coat.  You're coughing into it, touching it, your loose saliva falls into it," Dr. Alvarez says.

Experts say that knits can be hand washed but leather gloves need to be dry-cleaned.

One other tip:  don't keep your gloves in your coat pockets because the linings get damp from perspiration and if you don't let them dry they can smell like mildew.