Community Chat

[suzyQ3]

It seems that two separate things became conflated almost immediately in this thread.

Who would be so cruel as to suggest that those with specific medical issues that demand more attention to their immunity should not be so uptight? No one. As far as I can see, everyone has made it clear to except those individuals.

So back to those of us who are so fortunate not to battle such problems. If it makes you feel better to be concerned about everything you touch, to worry about viruses and bacteria that are everywhere, and to be proactive by going through a rigmorole of hand wipes or toilet paper or paper towels just to get out of a restroom, then that's what you should do. I think, though, that some people can take this way too far, and then it's not really about the germs at all.

[Cakers3]

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@suzyQ3 wrote:

It seems that two separate things became conflated almost immediately in this thread.

Who would be so cruel as to suggest that those with specific medical issues that demand more attention to their immunity should not be so uptight? No one. As far as I can see, everyone has made it clear to except those individuals.

So back to those of us who are so fortunate not to battle such problems. If it makes you feel better to be concerned about everything you touch, to worry about viruses and bacteria that are everywhere, and to be proactive by going through a rigmorole of hand wipes or toilet paper or paper towels just to get out of a restroom, then that's what you should do. I think, though, that some people can take this way too far, and then it's not really about the germs at all.

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@suzyQ3Correct.  Mysophobia can be a very deblitating disorder.  It is known by other names, too, but generally it is a pathology defined under other phobias.

It doesn't matter if one is compromised or not; this type of phobia can manifest in either group.

We all know that immune-compromised individuals are at a higher risk for contracting other illnesses; that was never the point or intention of this thread.

And two of my loved ones are immune compromised, so I really resent any implication that I don't understand the ramifications of viruses/bacteria for them.

[Moonchilde]

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@suzyQ3 wrote:

It seems that two separate things became conflated almost immediately in this thread.

Who would be so cruel as to suggest that those with specific medical issues that demand more attention to their immunity should not be so uptight? No one. As far as I can see, everyone has made it clear to except those individuals.

So back to those of us who are so fortunate not to battle such problems. If it makes you feel better to be concerned about everything you touch, to worry about viruses and bacteria that are everywhere, and to be proactive by going through a rigmorole of hand wipes or toilet paper or paper towels just to get out of a restroom, then that's what you should do. I think, though, that some people can take this way too far, and then it's not really about the germs at all.

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Couldn't have said it better.

[Marienkaefer2]

After doing some fact checking, I saw that this statement about hand dryers spreading germs is unproven, and comes from a chain email started in 2009.

[AuntG]

There is nothing insulting in the term.  Remember Mr. Monk, the TV detective?  I eventually got frustrated watching the show because of his compulsions.

[gloriajean]

When my daughter went to Massage School and Seminars afterwards, she was taught never to use those machines in restrooms as they are filled with germs. I have never used them since: This is what I found on Google:

HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Nov. 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Those air-blown hand dryers in public restrooms may spread far more germs than conventional paper towels, a new study suggests.

British researchers placed a harmless type of bacteria on the hands of volunteers in order to simulate poorly washed hands. They then had them use warm-air dryers, high-powered "jet-air" dryers or paper towels to dry their hands.

The investigators measured airborne bacteria levels and found higher amounts of germs around both types of dryers than around towel dispensers.

Jet-air dryers were the worst, the study found. Bacteria levels in the air around jet-air dryers were 4.5 times higher than around warm air dryers and 27 times higher than around paper towel dispensers, said a team led by Mark Wilcox of the University of Leeds.

His team also found that the bacteria persisted in the air around hand dryers long after they were used. Forty-eight percent of the bacteria around hand dryers was collected more than five minutes after use, and the bacteria could still be detected 15 minutes after use.

"Next time you dry your hands in a public toilet using an electric hand dryer, you may be spreading bacteria without knowing it. You may also be splattered with bugs from other people's hands," Wilcox said in a university news release.

"These findings are important for understanding the ways in which bacteria spread, with the potential to transmit illness and disease," he added.

The study was published Nov. 20 in the Journal of Hospital Infection and was also presented at the Healthcare Infection Society International Conference in Lyon, France.

[Lucky Charm]

It seems the only people *bothered* by germaphobes are people who aren't concerned about germs, filth, urine, feces, mucus, etc.

If you don't want to wash your hands after using the bathroom, or blowing your nose--fine---don't! 

And plenty of people don't wash afterwards.

But I have no desire to come in contact with any of that.  And if I don't want to touch the toilet seat or the faucet handles or lick the door knob---just get over it.

Calling someone crazy because they don't feel like risking getting a cold or the flu or MRSA or hepatitis or just landing their hand in someone's unwashed filth is as rude as calling someone crazy who's on anti anxiety or depression meds or both.

And we don't want to do that, do we?  Not nice.

[Judaline]

You probably wouldn't even have to use the electronic hand driers-just being in the room  with them would probably give you germs.

[CrazyDaisy]

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@suzyQ3 wrote:

It seems that two separate things became conflated almost immediately in this thread.

Who would be so cruel as to suggest that those with specific medical issues that demand more attention to their immunity should not be so uptight? No one. As far as I can see, everyone has made it clear to except those individuals.

So back to those of us who are so fortunate not to battle such problems. If it makes you feel better to be concerned about everything you touch, to worry about viruses and bacteria that are everywhere, and to be proactive by going through a rigmorole of hand wipes or toilet paper or paper towels just to get out of a restroom, then that's what you should do. I think, though, that some people can take this way too far, and then it's not really about the germs at all.

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Well said, most can tell the difference between an irrational fear and a medical necessity.

[ROMARY]

'Seems to me' that bacteria and other bugs mentioned here might thrive in warm, moist enviornments.  Personally, I try to keep away from very small restrooms (because of others sneezing/coughing in a tiny place), hand air dryers, etc., etc.   I've noticed that some supermarkets have one very tiny bathroom, although very, very clean, I must say.   I usually use cold water (not warm) if available and soap.  And TP or towel to dry my hands.  (TP if paper towels arne't available.)  Of course, I'm the one who carries those tiny square antibacterial wipes with me, lol.   ......... I might add that I was trained at a very young age to always carry and use  tissues (or clean hankies way back when) with me, especially when I had a cold, and to never cough out into the air when around others.  My mom always had clean hankies and/or tissues in her pockets and purses.  Even when she didn't have a cold and was perfectly well.   I know, I sound 'old fashioned' and other things, but I'd feel extremely bad if I knew I was inadvertently spreading my cold germs around to others around me.   I really can't help myself thinking this way.  Each person is unique, and we sometimes have to follow our individual conscience.