Winter is a time of year when colds and the flu tend to spread more easily. People know that door handles and commonly shared items like remote controls and even mobile phones can be hot spots for various bacteria and viruses, but what about your desk? According to WebMD, more than 10 million bacteria are on a typical office desk, which is 400 times more bacteria than is found on the average toilet seat. NBC News investigative correspondent Vicky Nguyen tested her own desk, computer and mouse with a specialized swab in 2021. Her desk scored 7,506, a numerical score given to calculate how soiled the area is. That figure was 75 times higher than what high-touch hospital surfaces are expected to be for cleanliness. Other coworkers scored much higher. Routinely wiping down desks and computer equipment with recommended disinfecting wipes can help to corral germs. In addition, do not to eat at your desk and keep pets away from workspaces to tame bacteria.