How to Share a Drink Without Spreading Germs

Medically reviewed by Mark Ziats, MD, PhD

Last Updated: February 22, 2022 References

Spreading viruses and bacteria through sharing drinks is well documented. The CDC does not recommend sharing drinks to avoid contracting diseases like mono or the common cold.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} However, sometimes, you may want to share your drink with your friend.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Picking and Preparing the Right Kind of Drink

1
Pick an unopened drink. Avoid sharing drinks that have already been opened or have been partially consumed.
- This includes water bottles that have been refilled but not have been washed out. These can still harbor germs that can be passed through residual salvia.
2
Wash your hands. Before opening the drink, make sure you wash your hands. This will limit the amount of germs that are transferred to the top of the drink. Washing your hands is the best way to prevent the spread of disease.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- You should first wet your hands with either warm or cold water.
- Soap and lather your hands. Lather your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. A good way to time this is to sing/hum “Happy Birthday.”
- Rinse off your hands under clean water.
- Dry your hands on a clean towel, or air dry them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Squrting the Drink Directly into Your Mouth

1
Poke a hole in the top of the lid. To avoid removing the lid entirely, you can poke a hole in the lid of the drink and pour the liquid directly into your mouth without touching the lid.
- To poke a hole in the lid, use a sharp tool (like a knife or fork) and apply pressure to the top of the lid. Be extremely careful when doing this, it is easy to slip and accidentally cut yourself. Do this on a solid surface and always cut away from yourself.
2
Pick a squeeze bottle. A squeeze bottle can more easily be controlled if pouring the liquid directly into a mouth without touching the rim. The liquid can be more easily controlled to make for a neater drinking experience.
- A squeeze bottle may be more efficient than using bottle with a lid with a hole poked in it.
3
Squirt the drink directly into the mouth. Hold the bottle above your mouth, about 6 inches away from your lips. Squeeze lightly if the liquid does not fall due to gravity. Be careful not to touch the bottle to your lips or mouth to avoid spreading germs. Do not squeeze too hard or you might spill your drink!

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Sharing Your Drink In Glasses

1
Consider with whom you are sharing. Thomas Connley, DDS, recommends a good rule of thumb is to not share drinks with someone you wouldn’t kiss on the lips.^{[3]
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Research source} This will limit the person you are sharing drinks, and germs, with.
- There are many diseases, like mono or even meningitis you can contract by sharing drinks.^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source} At the same time, consider whether or not you really know this person's health history. A lot of people can be ill and not even know it. For instance, the person may have never had a cold sore, but may in fact be a carrier of the virus (it is estimated that 90% of adults carry the virus).^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
2
Pour the drink into glasses. A simple way to share a drink with your friends is pouring the liquid in clean, separate glasses. This shares the drink without worry of cross contamination. Enjoy a drink with your friend, but do not enjoy each other’s germs!
- If you are worried about splitting the drink in equal parts, first pour the drink in a measuring cup to measure exactly how much liquid each glass is receiving.
3
Pour the drink into a single glass. You can pour a single drink in a glass before sharing it with a friend. There are a few ways to share a drink with a friend from a single glass.
- Use straws. This may allow you to isolate your germs to just your straw where your mouth meets the straw. However, there may still be germs from your saliva in the drink.