Keeping Germs at Bay

April 26, 2005 by
L.A. Robinson  
L.A. Robinson
L.A. Robinson
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Killing Germs  |  Heathcare  |  Germ  |  Germs  |  Sanitizers  |  Super Bug


Do you sing "Happy Birthday" while washing your hands to ensure that you've washed for long enough? Do you insist on handling shopping carts only with antibacterial wipes? Do you open public restroom doors with paper towels? Do you clandestinely watch your friends' behavior to see if they
 are too germ-friendly? If you have answered "yes" to all of these questions, welcome to my world-the world of a germophobe.

The meaning of "germophobe" (fear of germs) has nothing to do with neatness (my pocketbook can attest to this), and everything to do with microscopic filth. In fact, if my anecdotal research is borne out, the neatest people are actually the biggest germ offenders. In any event, the possibilities of becoming clinically insane from fear of germs does exist for persons like me, and I have discovered that the only way to keep myself out of a straightjacket is to have tools for dealing with everyday life and the contagions that it presents. For individuals who wish to incorporate their germophobia into their everyday life, I have devised a little life plan for you.

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Check out Kangopack's antimicrobial travel pack/bin liner for airport screening bins. Do people even realize you're putting your cell phone where thousands of shoes have been? You'll never put anything in those filthy airport bins again after watching the video. I never fly without one. www.kangopack.com
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Posted on 04/21/2009 at 7:04:31 PM

I just saw an advertisement for this site: www.kart-smart.com Check it out...I think they are way better than wipes, you don't have to clean or wipe the carts!
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Posted on 08/01/2008 at 1:08:29 PM

Can someone tell me what disease your butt area will get from sitting on the toilet without paper? None. I've never heard of a disease entering the body by sitting on it. Just make sure you wash your hands after your done and you don't have to worry about it. Your butt will be fine.
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Posted on 11/10/2007 at 10:11:00 AM

I'm a fellow germophobe, I think it's more just trying to keep from getting sick as much as possible as I'm also a workaholic. :) I eat out A LOT and when people ask me under the circumstances, I just respond that I've eaten out as long as I can remember and it's within my comfort zone. If I have a lot on my mind I can get my food and eat it without washing my hands first, but if someone brings it up or it comes to mind, even if I've eaten 3/4 of my burger, it will fester until I get up and wash my hands. :)
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Posted on 01/01/2007 at 10:01:00 AM

Jen, I am sorry to hear about your father. That is terrible that he had to die of a staph infection. I'm not in the science field, but I can tell you that his getting it--and your daughter getting an infection--was not from the overuse of antibacterial products. Certainly contamination of our water supplies is never good, but ask yourself why these doctors aren't ashamed of themselves. Did you know that there are a number of hospitals piloting programs designed to sharply reduce post-operative and hospital infections? Within these programs, healthcare providers are re-trained to take sanitary care seriously. The results have been dramatic, and I am hoping that legislation will make these measures (as well as the reporting of hospital-induced infection) mandatory. There is little uniformity right now. Your family members were likely victims of callousness (actually, outright negligence) on the part of the medical personnel--I've seen it and experienced it first-hand too many tim
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Posted on 12/10/2006 at 10:12:00 AM

(cont., as it cut off much of my post) should be sufficient and recommened. My family as become a hotspot for MRSA Staph (read up on it if you're not familiar, as there is lots online). My daughter was hospitalized for it, and my father died from it just this year, so don't think I don't know about a fear of bacteria. All of our doctors have told us that part of the reason it's as rampant as it's become is because of the overuse of antibacterial products (which, by the way, thanks to so many using them, they are now corrupting our water supply and increasing the danger to even those who choose to live health bacteria filled lives). They only recommended increased precautions of any kind when there was an open wound present, otherwise, regular soap should suffice just fine. Read my post again, I said I keep a clean house, so I don't know why you'd choose to assume that I'm some terrible modern version of Typhoid Mary or anything. Remember, certain bacteria that resides within us
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Posted on 12/04/2006 at 11:12:00 AM

L.A. I somewhat understand where you are coming from. My suggestion regarding counseling was directed at those who are truly germophobes. As with any phobia, as defined, it is an irrational fear. I do think all healthcare workers should wear gloves, and people should wash their hands after going to the bathroom-neither of those could at all be lumped into the irrational fear category, rather they're simply part of good hygiene. You're making some pretty bold and rather nasty assumptions, IMO. As for the toilet seat covers, they are almost useless, as #1, I've even tested myself in Advanced Microbiology in college, there's not much point. There was almost zero bacteria found on the seat-in all actuality, most of the germs on a toilet come from the handle which is why I think more places should install auto-flush toilets. #2, IMO, anyone who thinks a thin sheet of paper is going to protect their butt from nasty germs is fooling themselves. Washing your hands when you're done shou
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Posted on 12/04/2006 at 11:12:00 AM

Jen, your comment makes sense that we have to live with germs. But is simply irresponsible to suggest that people need counseling if they take charge of their lives enough to advocate for their healthcare providers to wear gloves. I do know people like you who believe that all germs are created equal, and so they do not wash their hands when leaving the bathroom, they do not sweat it if a nurse gives their children shots without gloves, and they have no problem blowing their own noses and opening doors with their contaminated hands. I call it laziness and inconsiderate filth-promoting behavior, but people like you are definitely a fact of life - which is why I'm so grateful for Purell!! One more layer of protection against such behavior!
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Posted on 11/12/2006 at 2:11:00 PM

I feel this is something that requires some counseling-not recommending foolish ways to perpetuate an unreasonable fear. I am one who keeps my house very clean, but germs are a necessary part of life, and you just need to learn to deal with it and live with them.
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Posted on 10/24/2006 at 1:10:00 PM

I heard the bottom of our handbags is the worst culprit for germs.
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Posted on 10/19/2006 at 3:10:00 PM

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