If there's one place you should be able to go without worrying about acquiring a disease, it's the hospital. But you and I both know that hospitals are full of bacteria that can be life-threatening. In fact, a review study published in the <em>New England Journal of Medicine</em> found that an estimated two million people acquire infections while they're in the hospital every year — and about 90,000 of them die. Even if you do survive the infection, getting one can add an average of two weeks to your stay. The medical bills for these infections add up to over $9.5 billion.

Do you use antibacterial soaps? Well, if you do, you can say goodbye to them. The FDA says they don't work any better than plain soap. They also say that the makers of the antibacterial soaps have never proven them to be safe.

I know having surgery can be a nerve-wracking experience. Even the most routine of procedures carries the risk of unforeseen complications. But it's important to handle your concerns the right way. Doing the wrong thing could actually make your recovery far worse.