I read with interest the article by Wuerth et al (Top 10 tips for effective use of electronic health records) in the March 2014 issue of Paediatrics and Child Health. The report is very well thought out and timely. Perhaps what also could have been addressed is the potential for cross-contamination of infectious diseases between patients, especially in a busy paediatric office, where there is constant exposure to germs that may be transferred between patients via use of the keyboard. Constant vigilance and hand washing before and after the use of the computer keyboard is extremely important. This is a new vector for transfer of viruses, giving true meaning to the risks of picking up a ‘computer virus’.