What's the best way to remain germ-free when I wash and dry my hands in a public bathroom?

Great question! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta recognize hand washing as the single most important way to prevent the spread of disease. If paper towels are available, use them as a barrier when turning faucets on and off, and again when opening the door to exit. If paper towels are not available, wash hands with soap and water. Air dry; then use your jacket, or a part of your shirt or sweater as a barrier when opening the door. If that's not possible, use one finger to open the door. The goal is to avoid making skin contact with commonly-touched surfaces.

Melinda Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D., Former Nutritional Sciences Specialist, University of Missouri-Columbia