As a pediatrician I am well aware of some of the germ-phobias people carry. I heard a program one morning last week on my way to work; I almost drove off the road with laughter visualizing paranoids killing germs. (Kind of reminded me of Get Fuzzy’s cat killing insects in this morning’s paper).
Yes, we need to be aware of germs, but we should not obsess over them or worry about them. Many germs can be good for us! ( I wrote my first book on germs, Germs Make Me Sick, Alfred A Knopf 1975). Researchers have found a straight line between germ exposure and asthma. The more kids, even babies, are exposed to germs the less likely they are to develop asthma and other allergies. I’m not suggesting taking your baby to the TB ward on letting your kids play in sewerage, but playing outside in the good clean grass and even on bare soil keeps kids healthy. So does having a lot of friends, going to church, and being happy!
But during epidemics, like the current flu, one must be a little more cautious. Teach your kids (and yourself) to keep their hands out of their mouth, nose, and eyes. Wash hands before eating, after using the rest room, after shaking hands with a number of people, after wrestling with friends, or using someone else’s phone, and after blowing your nose or wiping your face. It might also be wise at a time like this to wash once again in mid-morning and again in mid-afternoon.
Encourage people who are sick to stay home from work or school! Avoid talking with sick people and most important get the flu shot each and every year.
Life is a lot more fun if you forget your fears and concentrate on helping others and having fun