While 99 per cent of bacteria are harmless, when it comes to make-up, particularly eye make-up, you need to be very careful.

Never, ever share mascara or eyeliner or shadow as while your body is accustomed to your own (sometimes disease-causing) bacteria, another person’s can be a different story and give rise to infection. Ditto with razors, particularly if the skin surface is broken.

How is it that we were all taught, when growing up, to put our hand in front of our mouth when we sneeze or cough?

It makes no sense at all, since all the germs are landing nicely in the hand, to be passed on to the next person or object we touch and then, surprise, surprise, that cold or flu is then adopted by someone else. W

e need to start teaching our kids to, ideally, sneeze into a tissue, and if that is not available, to use the forearm. Common sense, really, if you think about it…

There are always scare stories in the papers about the bacteria dangers lurking in everyday objects, from ‘bags for life’ to remote controls and cuddly toys.

Well I say don’t panic! Ninety-nine per cent of bacteria are harmless, and our bodies are covered in bacteria, which are necessary to keep healthy. And while we need to keep things reasonably clean, the single most important defense against harmful bacteria is to make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before cooking and eating, and dry on a clean towel.