Who doesn’t love a nice, hot shower first thing in the morning to wake us up or right before bed to feel refreshed and ready for slumber? I’m definitely a morning showerer - without it, it’s like being half-asleep all day. Pick up that plush shower sponge and that herbal bath lotion, feel the steam opening up your pores, and sing along with whatever’s on your favourite radio station - everything else in the world can wait.

But every once in a while, I accidentally gulp down some of that shower water, and at the back of my mind I would wonder whether or not the water is “clean.”

We’ve known for quite some time now that the water springing forth from our kitchen sinks and bathroom faucets are not sterile and contains a variety of microbes. While these microbes do not pose any serious harm to anyone - one microbe that researchers at University of Colorado were interested in was Mycobacterium avium.

Across 9 US cities, researchers examined showerheads and found that 30% of them showed the presence of M. avium, which is part of a group of pathogens that can cause lung infections in immunocompromised people. Because of the way showerheads work, pathogens that colonize there may be released in aerosolized water droplets, which can be inhaled into the lungs.

Now, before you freak out and start boycotting showers altogether - you should know that infections resulting from being exposed to pathogens like M. avium through showers or other household faucets are very uncommon, even for people who are immunocompromised. However, people with severely weak immune systems may be at risk for infections.

So what can we take away from this study? The researchers have these suggestions for us:

1. Before jumping into the shower, let the water run for about 30 seconds, as the first burst of water contains the most microbes.

2. Opt for metal showerheads rather than plastic ones - the latter are more hospital to microbes compared to the former.

3. Change showerheads regularly.

I already inadvertently practice #1, but I’ll definitely be shopping around for a metal showerhead, since the plastic one I have was the same one as the previous owner from whom I bought the condo - I shudder to think how old it is - strike #2 and #3!

How much better do you fare?

I think something should also be said about living a healthy lifestyle that incorporates fitness and healthy eating, along with other healthy practices that can boost our immune system and encourage it to fight germs - no matter where the source.