(NBC NEWS) -- Apparently there is nothing like the touch of your own hand.
"I find all the time that I'm touching my face," a Dallas woman said.
"It's bad. Boy it's bad," a Dallas man said.
It is bad, because hands can be laden with influenza.
"Your hands provide the vehicle to get you sick every year," Dr. John Carlo said.
Doctors say biting your nails is the worst thing you can do. Rubbing your eyes poses a threat too.
"If you get close to those areas it is very likely that the germ could contaminate those areas," Dr. Carlo said.
One university study found we touch our faces an average of 16 times an hour.
"I touch my face a lot when I go talk to females and stuff," a Dallas man said.
Even when making a move.
It's not just the mouth and eyes, but the nose is ripe for the...well you get the idea.
Bottom line: Infected hands near your face is the quickest way to implant the flu bug.
Still our good doctor leaves us with one final piece of advice.
"I don't think it's time to stop shaking hands, but it may be time to stop picking your nose," Dr. Carlo said.
