Grim reason you always wash water bottle as doctor warns of flu-like symptoms

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Utilising a reusable water bottle can be beneficial in so many ways, including for your own health and for the environment.By staying hydrated throughout the day, you can also cut down on single-use plastic and save money when refilling from the tap.Water bottles have even become something of a fashion accessory, as the choices are endless with stainless steel bottles to sportier ones designed like dumbbells.Hitting the NHS-recommended eight glasses of water a day also benefits your health - but did you know that a reusable water bottle could also damage your health?According to a study from waterfilterguru.com, reusable water bottles contain, on average, 20.8m colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria - which is equal to 40,000 times more than the microbes left on a toilet seat.Doctors warn a build-up of mould inside the bottle can cause allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, or red and itchy eyes.So, are there consequences to always having your water bottle on hand without washing it correctly?Health experts were asked about the potential dangers - read on below to find out more.Dr Donald Grant, senior clinician at The Independent Pharmacy, said: "A common misconception when it comes to reusable water bottle hygiene is that as you’re typically filling it with pure water and it’s only coming into contact with your own mouth, there’s little need to clean it often."However, each time you take a sip, you are transferring bacteria from your mouth into the bottle - which can then multiply.Private GP, Dr Suhail Hussain, said: "Anything that is reusable can be prone to accumulating dirt, dust or debris and, as a result, bacteria."This is exacerbated by the fact water bottles are the ideal environment for harbouring