If you saw the 1995 film “Outbreak,” you’re probably already a bit wary of the infectious disease-spreading potential of movie theaters, public gathering places filled with highly trafficked bathrooms, salty finger foods and hordes of sick children. And, of course, there are the seats (aka the germ sponges). To avoid coming in contact with unsavory bacteria during your next visit to the local multiplex, use common sense: Wash or apply sanitizer to your hands before shoveling popcorn into your mouth and move seats if the guy next to you pauses to loudly blow his nose between guffaws. Also, don’t put your bag or coat on the ground in front of you and avoid reusable 3-D glasses.

 

According to ABC News, in 2010 Good Housekeeping tested reusable 3-D movie glasses at seven theaters in the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut area and found them to be covered with the germs responsible for serious maladies such as food poisoning, pneumonia, sepsis, staph infections and, of course, pink eye. However, 3-D glasses may soon go the way of free airplane pillows as Sony plans to stop reusing them and start charging moviegoers for single-use pairs.