Attention Germ Phobes.........

[jax677]

I am a firm believer in being exposed to everyday germs as a way of strengthening the immune system. My girls have never needed antibiotics, barely ever get sick with the sniffles and when they have had a mild fever we let the body fight it. Maybe my girls are just lucky with a great immune system, who knows?

I met a friend who is a germaphobe and its hard going places with her. Especially eating out. There are tons of rules that apply to the place we eat, the table we sit at and the food she is willing to order. Makes me giggle sometimes. Like the time my daughter went into the bathroom with a handful of candy. She put them on the sink ledge so she could wash her hands. My friend lost it. I understand her point and I do think there must be a middle road.

I hate dragging luggage around, if I had to bring sheets and blankets too, I would never go.

 

[Belle5]

Mom of six chiming in...just wondering...do those of you who hate vomiting so much not ever get morning sickness? I just am at a loss about those who think they are the only ones who hate vomiting. You are not unique or special in any way. I have yet to meet anyone who likes it.

Here maybe this will make it more clear to you. This is a phobia I struggle with everyday.

http://www.emetophobia.org/emetophobia fear of vomiting.asp

Yes, I am aware of emetophobia. I am truly sorry if you have this. I doubt that all the people who post that they really hate to vomit have this. Even I exhibit MANY of the "symptoms" of emetophobia just because I try to avoid illness in general. I sit away from people in doctor's offices. When I am in a public place I scan the room to make sure people look healthy. Just last night, I went down a different aisle in the grocery store several times when I heard someone with a horrendous cough and saw another young girl holding her stomach and looking extremely pale with a blanket around her shoulders. I would imagine that people with the extreme of this phobia would avoid places like WDW like the plague. I can't tell you how much I "hate" to vomit, as well. I have a cardiac condition (been hospitalized many times with it) and whenever I get a true stomach virus my heart rate is extremely erratic and I wonder if I am going to die from a fatal arrhythmia. That is the dread I have (not unrealistic for something like that to happen in my family with my brother and dad dying in their mid-forties from heart issues) Still, I can't live in a bubble and just realize that these bugs go around and if I get one I just have to deal with it and deal with my out-of-control cardiac symptoms. As I mentioned in my prior post, vomiting is no picnic for me ever--the capillaries on my face tend to burst, etc.. I really hope that you are getting professional help for your problem. I know that my friends and relatives who have OCD issues about things they fear usually have to face their fear as part of their treatment (put themselves in the situation intentionally).

 

[MEK]

I'd venture to say there are a few people with real OCD commenting in this post! The difference between OC and general cleanliness efforts is whether the thought of not washing your hands or the idea of touching something "contaminated" causes you to have great anxiety.

 

[dqpowell]

One more thing, most of the things you'll catch at WDW are probably airborne anyway. Whatcha gonna do- stop breathing??

This is not true. The vast majority of "things you'll catch" anywhere are caught due to contamination of the person's hands with the germ and then infection when the hands touch the mouth, nose or eyes. Even the rhinovirus (which causes the common cold) is most often transmitted in this way. It can be contracted when an infected person sneezes and somebody nearby inhales the microdroplets out of the air. But the majority of infections happen due to hand-to-mouth, -nose or -eye contact.

Note that I am not a germophobe, though I do stay pretty healthy with routine (not excessive) handwashing and 'normal' precautions.

David

 

[savvy?71]

I just have to say that all of you cautious people posting on this thread are very brave in opening yourselves up to the ridicule of some others on this board!

When we got back from WDW last week, there was a thread asking what you'd done (if anything) to avoid the "bug" at WDW, and if it had been successful. We stayed healthy and I listed what we'd used/done to remain that way. Other posters jumped to the ridiculous conclusion that I was some kind of crazy Monk-type person and how "sad" it was that I "forced" my family to live that way every day! Some were very rude about it.

Um ... HELLO ... we were hyper-careful AT WDW because of the illness reports, and every single one of us was HAPPY to take the precautions since we didn't miss a moment of our dream trip!

I have a few posts in this thread and without rereading them, I hope they weren't 'rude'; that is not my intention.

But I think it's worth noting that there is a lot of misinformation or plain old ignorance (NOT meant in the 'mean' way--but the literal meaning of 'not knowing the info') regarding pathology and our immune systems. And justly so, as these are complicated, active, and evolving systems. But there is simplifed info (one doesn't need to be an ID specialist or immunologist to gather sound facts, and keep up with changing/updated information)

The thing is, some people see actions (posted) that may be causing more harm than good, or doing nothing at all (other than causing additional anxiety), which in turn can challenge resistance, creatinga vicious cycle), so there maybe a lot of...emphatic responses. No, there is nothing wrong with being conscious of warding off germs; however when it starts to overtake our consciousness, we might not be creating a healthy environment (mentally...physically...)

That all said, there is a line drawn at phobias (we toss the term 'germaphobe' around lightly, when there might be actual phobic conditions present). In these instances it is near impossible to 'post' information back and forth, no matter how accurate/helpful. And that conditions are difficult for those folks on a daily basis that others cannot relate to at all.

So in general, the most helpful thing I can add to all of this is to educate oneself as much as possible (the information is out there). And if this happens to be a much more serious case of anxiety, I sympathize, and can only suggest seeking outside help if one truly wants to work on that.

 

[jax677]

I hate getting sick because I can't throw up. If I get the flu and I have only gotten it 2 or 3 times, it seems to take longer for me to get better because of this. My mom and sister also can't throw up, I guess it runs in my family.

 

[SueM in MN]

I hate to tell you what I do when there are no paper towels because it just proves even more how nuts I am. I grab a bunch of toilet paper and take it to the sink to dry my hands, turn off the faucets and open the door. (I'm really normal otherwise... I promise!)

That works too (although toilet paper tends to disintegrate when it gets wet, so it can get kind of messy)

 

[Csaks]

So somebody mentioned buffets and that got me thinking... what about all those handles on the big spoons and tongs and such that you serve yourself with at the buffets. What do you do? Get your food, then wash your hands then eat, then get more food, wash hands, then eat....

Y'all are all freakin' me out. I already have to bring a jillion things for my toddler and now I gotta pack wipes, purell, lysol, febreeze, sheets, towels, blankets, bedspreads, pillows, and I have to wear gloves I guess while I'm stripping the beds to look for bedbugs and I can't take my shoes and socks off while I'm in my room until after I'm in bed. I guess I'll have to also bring my shoes in the bathroom when I take a shower so I can put them on when I get out of the tub lest I walk on the floor or god forbid the nasty carpet. I KNOW, I'll bring enough towels and blankets from home to re-carpet the rooms! That's it!!!

All kidding aside, I made it until my kid started dropping his pacifier on the floor about every thirty seconds, and washing and washing and washing, and then just rinsing, and rinsing, and then I got to the point where I was just blowing it off or brushing it off with my shirt, and really, it just wore me down and eventually, I got to the point I just gave it back to him. Having a toddler, your OWN toddler, cures you of much of the fear of snot, spit, puke, spitup, and all kinds of pee and poo.

Okay... I have degenerated to the point of writing for my own entertainment, so I'll shut up now....

Okay... not quite... seriously, what are we gonna do about those buffet utensils?

Thank you for the laugh.

Sorry, I brought up the buffet.

I just have to say that all of you cautious people posting on this thread are very brave in opening yourselves up to the ridicule of some others on this board!

When we got back from WDW last week, there was a thread asking what you'd done (if anything) to avoid the "bug" at WDW, and if it had been successful. We stayed healthy and I listed what we'd used/done to remain that way. Other posters jumped to the ridiculous conclusion that I was some kind of crazy Monk-type person and how "sad" it was that I "forced" my family to live that way every day! Some were very rude about it.

Um ... HELLO ... we were hyper-careful AT WDW because of the illness reports, and every single one of us was HAPPY to take the precautions since we didn't miss a moment of our dream trip!

I've been here from the beginning of this one and I don't think anyone has gotten out of hand. I hope you didn't see it that way. Personally it has been an eye opener, I would have never thought to go to the lengths some have described here to avoid germs. I feel bad that it controls some to go to extreme measures but it seems to work for them. Who am I to tell them different.




As for the throwing up thing, I whole heartily agree. I hate it but my adversion came from a drink in my teens we called Jungle Juice. It is a collection of liquors gathered from our parents cabinets brought together in one bottle . A little bit from here, some more from there so they wouldn't notice Well I have never been so sick in my life, three days of it. Alcohol poisoning comes to mind, didn't touch hard liquors for 10 more years. To this day I fight throwing up with all I have, even if it would make me feel better.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I hate to tell you what I do when there are no paper towels because it just proves even more how nuts I am. I grab a bunch of toilet paper and take it to the sink to dry my hands, turn off the faucets and open the door. (I'm really normal otherwise... I promise!)

I do that also......BUT if there are toilet covers I use them instead so the little pieces of paper don't stick to your hands.

 

[maxiesmom]

At the buffets we--

#1 wash hands
#2 get food
# 3 Purell

I have to wonder if so many people who think they caught some kind of stomach bug at Disney are just over-doing it. I know that when I eat all sorts of food that I am not used to, and then don't get enough sleep on top of that, I am messed up anyway. It is not a bug, just my body going "Hey Stupid! Need some normal food and some rest here!"

 

[kaytieeldr]

Interestingly, this word doesn't exist (there are phobias you'd NEVER expect) but mysophobia/mysophobia, spermatophobia, spermophobia, and verminophobia all mean a fear of germs. http://phobialist.com/

Slightly OT, but my four 'favorite' phobias are:
Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth
Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia- Fear of the number 666
Consecotaleophobia- Fear of chopsticks
and the irony of hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia- Fear of long words (also known as sesquipedalophobia)

Back on-topic - truly, there are posters in this thread who are extremely overdoing things. Go back and read SueM in MN's posts again. There are other nurses here, too, but this is her field of expertise. Plain, simple hand-washing and common sense will help you avoid most, if not all, germs.

Again, I ask the posters who go to extremes: Is this what your parents did when you were growing up? Did they bring wipes and antibacterial gels everywhere, clean EVERYTHING before you touched it everywhere you went, bring their own bedding on vacation, etc? Or did they follow common-sense cleanliness procedures?

Whichever route they took, how is your (physical) health now? How was it as a child?

 

[hsmamato2]

I think half the time we get sick because we are 'too clean", and over use the sanitizers and antibiotics..Think about it 20 yrs ago hand sanitizer didn't exist and you didn't have half the amount of drug resistant infections you have today.Moderation people, that is why you have an immune system.( well most people have an immune system but that is a different story)

thank you....I agree here....I can't STAND the smell of all those sprays etc that people use to make themselves feel germ free......
BTW,running water,even if you're out of soap,has been proven to be the most effective germ killer.....so forget all the hideous chemicals and just wash your hands! And then use a paper towel in the public restroom to shut off the water...... remember people, running water-
buying bottled water instead of tap?!?!?! sorry...that's a little....extreme.

 

[kellypooh]

I think the late great George Carlin said it best. Check it out for a good laugh.

George Carlin on Germs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y-yH_Qyipc

Be warned it's a little crude.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who immediately flashed to George Carlin's take on this subject! Haven't checked out the link but I'm sure it's his bit from the "You are All Diseased" tour!!

So somebody mentioned buffets and that got me thinking... what about all those handles on the big spoons and tongs and such that you serve yourself with at the buffets. What do you do? Get your food, then wash your hands then eat, then get more food, wash hands, then eat....

Y'all are all freakin' me out. I already have to bring a jillion things for my toddler and now I gotta pack wipes, purell, lysol, febreeze, sheets, towels, blankets, bedspreads, pillows, and I have to wear gloves I guess while I'm stripping the beds to look for bedbugs and I can't take my shoes and socks off while I'm in my room until after I'm in bed. I guess I'll have to also bring my shoes in the bathroom when I take a shower so I can put them on when I get out of the tub lest I walk on the floor or god forbid the nasty carpet. I KNOW, I'll bring enough towels and blankets from home to re-carpet the rooms! That's it!!!

All kidding aside, I made it until my kid started dropping his pacifier on the floor about every thirty seconds, and washing and washing and washing, and then just rinsing, and rinsing, and then I got to the point where I was just blowing it off or brushing it off with my shirt, and really, it just wore me down and eventually, I got to the point I just gave it back to him. Having a toddler, your OWN toddler, cures you of much of the fear of snot, spit, puke, spitup, and all kinds of pee and poo.

Okay... I have degenerated to the point of writing for my own entertainment, so I'll shut up now....

Okay... not quite... seriously, what are we gonna do about those buffet utensils?

As for the throwing up thing, I whole heartily agree. I hate it but my adversion came from a drink in my teens we called Jungle Juice. It is a collection of liquors gathered from our parents cabinets brought together in one bottle . A little bit from here, some more from there so they wouldn't notice

We called this wapitula -- and we made it with whole bottles of various different liquors mixed together with fruit and something fizzy...nothin' like it to bring on porcelain worshipping!

In all seriousness, I feel for those who can't control an obsession with germs. Seems like it just sucks all the fun out of everything on top of the obvious defeating the purpose by short-circuiting the immune system.
I take basic precautionary measures (wash my hands when they are dirty with either just hot water or with soap and water -- depending on the kinds of "dirty" we're talking about ) and never get sick. I haven't even had a really bad cold for years.

 

[momtotwoteens]

I do that also......BUT if there are toilet covers I use them instead so the little pieces of paper don't stick to your hands.

Great idea! I can't wait to tell my DD that we're going to start doing that. She's going to be scarred for life!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Great idea! I can't wait to tell my DD that we're going to start doing that. She's going to be scarred for life!

Thing is they really do a great job!

 

[EnnEss]

Ya know......
My family does because my kids will bring it home from school then I get it. Her family is sick right now with cold symptoms. I still try to avoid the stomach bug no matter what extreme I have to go to even if it means making myself crazy and everyone around me. I just hate to throw up!!! I'd rather have diarrhea for a week straight all day long then to throw up once!

Lots of doctors may suggest your kids and you get sick because of all the precautions you take and your lack of immunity.

 

[momtotwoteens]

Thing is they really do a great job!

I'm gonna try it!

 

[winterman]

It has taken me two days to get through this thread and now I have to add my thoughts.

Add me to the several nurses who take moderate precautions but don't go over the top.

I always wash hands after bathroom trips. I also wash when I first come back into my house. I cough into my sleeve or pull up my shirt collar and cough into the shirt (the inside of it). If I find a dirty toilet seat, I leave and go to another one. If the toilet seat is wet, I wipe it dry. (I suspect that it is some of the 'germophobes' that pee on the seats.) I do my best to avoid touching my hands to my nose, eyes or mouth. I am especially careful about this last thing at WDW. I get a flu shot every year. I have never done anything to disinfect a hotel room. However, I would NEVER take a bath in a hotel and I am always surprised when I read post from people who do.

I have gotten colds on a few WDW trips but that has always happened on Fall trips and I always get one cold in the Fall. Then I'm usually good for the year. ( I started using Zicam nasal swabs at the first sign of a cold, a few years ago, and I do believe that it helps.)

 

[PaulaSB12]

I do wash my hands when I go to the toilet, apart from the usual hygene things I don't bother with much else. Use the comforters, the glasses and walk about the hotel room and resort bare foot (I walked through the coloured canyon in Egypt once bare foot, managed to stub my big toe so it bled but kicked sand on it til it stopped) I didn't realise that people went to such extremes to avoid germs!

 

[TSMAMI]