If you have a cup on your desk at work turn away now and throw it in the bin

If you work in an office, then chances are you and/or your colleagues probably drink tea or coffee at your desk.

And with the likelihood of things getting lost or misplaced, many people tend to keep their own mug on their desk too – which is actually a terrible idea.

It could end up making you sick, and there’s a really disgusting reason for it.

Charles Gerba, PhD, a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, told Men’s Health:

Colonies of germs are living in your favourite cup.

According to his research, 20 per cent of office mugs actually carry fecal bacteria, while 90 per cent are covered in other kinds of germs - and they can live for up to three days.

It usually happens when people clean their mugs with office sponges that have been sitting around for a long time, or don't use hot water and soap.

As well as that, if your mug sits on your desk unwashed, bacteria will start growing right away – even if if there’s nothing more than a coffee ring inside.