Hand washing may sound like obvious advice for combating germs, but surveys suggest that most of us are not vigilant about washing our hands after using the restroom.

Every surface presents an opportunity for germs to hitchhike out.

Problem is, being inside puts you in close constant contact with other people -- and their germs.

The UN says washing hands with water alone is not enough "because you fail to wash off the germs".

Largely unseen by the world, two dangerous germs homed in on their targets in the spring and early summer of 2009.