It's your worse nightmare, when you lay that weary head down to rest, that pillow is literally festering!
A new study has discovered what we really didn't need to know, that the average pillow is home to a host of potentially-harmful fungi.
A British research team from the University of Manchester found as many as 16 types of fungi in pillows they analysed.
According to the researchers feather pillows had fewer species than synthetic versions, particularly in the case of a fungus which exacerbates asthma.
Although experts advise disinfecting pillows they say fungi occur in most environments.
Apparently the fungal spores found in the pillows feed off human skins scales and dust mite faeces.
Although the fungal contamination of bedding was first uncovered by studies carried out in the 1930s, few studies have been done since then.
In the study samples were taken from 10 pillows, five feather and five synthetic, all had been used for between 18 months and 20 years.
Researchers found that all 10 pillows had a "substantial fungal load" with between four to 16 different species being identified on each.
The microscopic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus was particularly evident in synthetic pillows.
This fungus commonly invades the lungs and sinuses and can worsen asthma.
It is also known to cause infection in leukaemia and bone marrow transplant patients.
The team also found pillows which contained fungi as diverse as bread and vine moulds. Some also had fungi which would usually be found on damp walls.
Lead researcher Professor Ashley Woodcock said the findings showed there was a "miniature ecosystem" operating inside pillows.