According to the Infectious Disease Society, bathroom surfaces in American restaurants, airplanes, stores, hospitals and other busy places can be heavily contaminated with germs that cause illnesses.

Bottom line: don’t touch anything.

Researchers swabbed faucets, paper-dispenser levers, and door handles inside the bathrooms of four aircraft and 18 other crowded spots like fast-food restaurants.

Among the microscopic critters they commonly found were staphylococcus (which can cause fevers and chills) and bacillus (which can cause diarrhea).

The lead researcher said, “If you have to use it, you have to use it. You just have to be careful where you touch after you wash your hands.”