That’s right. One of the last pillars of everyday life that possessed some ability to give you pleasure and relaxation—a shower!—could be less than the hygienic endeavor you’d thought it was.

A recent study suggests that the slimy nooks and crannies on your showerhead can harbor bacteria, including a relative of the organism that causes tuberculosis. And when you turn on the shower, the pathogens combine with the water droplets, allowing you to breathe it all in deeply. (Those bacteria can also lurk wherever there is continuous moisture and heat, such as a humidifier that hasn’t been cleaned or a food preparation area.)

Most at risk are those with compromised immune systems, including pregnant women, the elderly, or those with cystic fibrosis or AIDS.

Those at risk, or those who would rather not worry, can let the shower run for a minute or two with the curtain open to dilute the concentration.

For more details about the study, see our Home & Garden blog.

—Artemis DiBenedetto, Web associate editor

For more details about the study, see our Home & Garden blog.