Healthinspections.com is reporting that Swiss researchers have found that flu germs can live on paper money up to 17 days.

Past research at the University of Georgia discovered that dangerous E.coli bacteria can easily survive on the loose change in your pocket: anywhere from seven to eleven days on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.

Chirag Bhatt, former director of health inspections for the city of Houston and current food safety director for Healthinspections.com, said,

"When a food worker touches money, then touches food, there is a clear danger of spreading germs. … For the average person, this is just another reminder of how important it is to wash our hands frequently to safeguard our health."