There was a poll about people getting salmonella on here awhile back, and I remember one extreme (to me anyhow) comment, where the person actually changed their clothes after handling the snake before going to bed. I think I am in the middle of the road with caution. I also wash out bowls in the bathroom sink, they do not go near the kitchen. Then when I am done, I clorox the bathroom sink down. We wash our hands after we hold them. But they crawl all over us and the floor and couch. My snakes are also kept very clean, so I don't worry as much, since I know they haven't been lounging in poop.