Mysophobia can help prevent colds and flu
I am not mysophobic. What? Well, I was going to use the term germaphobic, but spell check didn’t like it.
Mysophobia is the correct word for a pathological fear of contamination and germs. Now that I figured that out, I’ll tell you why I’m telling you this.
Last week during the State of the Union address I found myself watching Joe Biden and John Boehner who have the unfortunate privilege of sitting behind the president while he’s speaking, allowing us to watch their every move. Shortly into the speech, Boehner blew his nose. Then, Biden rubbed his eyes and nose as if they itched.
Boehner put his fingers in his mouth while Biden chewed on the end of his pen. You’re getting the picture aren’t you? Yes, because you know that at the end of the speech they shook hands with the president who shook hands with just about everyone else in the hall before he left. And, I thought, wow they’re going to spread some serious germs.
There is no news about the entire congress getting a virus, so I’m going to assume it didn’t happen, but it sent me scurrying to find new and improved tips on preventing colds and flu. No surprise, the tried and true came first.
Wash your hands. Often. With soap and hot water. Sing “Happy Birth-day” to yourself twice while vigorously rubbing your hands together. In a public restroom, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door. If you can’t wash in water, use alcohol based hand sanitizer, but there’s no substitute for a good hand scrubbing.
Remember that your hands are a germ factory so this time of year it may be a better idea to make meals that need to be eaten with a fork or spoon rather than with the hands. And, this is a great time for you and the kids to stop chewing your nails. You can imagine what’s under them, can’t you?
Everything you touch is potentially contaminated, so don’t share towels, telephones, tablets or computer keyboards without giving them an antiseptic wipe. Do not use the pen provided to sign for your credit card purchase without wiping it or washing right afterwards. Best advice is to carry your own and keep it out of your mouth.
Health.com says, “Our purses pick up germs like we do, according to Joseph Brasco, MD, author of The Great Physicians Rx for Colds and Flu, so you could be re-infecting yourself every time you pick up your handbag. His suggestion: Put away your cloth purse during the winter months and carry one made of easier-to-wipe-down vinyl or leather.”
They also recommend coughing and sneezing into the crook of your elbow. Dr. Stafford Broumand, a plastic surgeon in New York said, “When I’m walking past another person and he is sneezing or coughing, I gently and slowly breathe out until I’m beyond the 6- to 10-foot zone around him. This keeps me from inhaling the air he just contaminated.”
What else can you do to prevent catching a cold? Get plenty of rest, exercise regularly and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Oh, and smile. “New research has found that happiness may help you,” Health.com says. “Carl Charnetski, MD, professor of psychology at Wilkes University, found that sex, positive thinking, playing with a pet, and other pleasurable behaviors will boost your immune system.”
Oh, and duh, they also say to stay away from people who are sick. Makes sense to me, how about you?
Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board Advisory Committee. She can be reached at 264-4029 or kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.