|
Scared to get sick!!
I have a deep fear of germs and getting sick. Even the thought of catching a regular cold drives me crazy. I was my hands for 10 minutes, and at school, I wear a bandanna that covers my nose and mouth to help keep the germs away. I mean, hey it's not my fault that kids at my school go swimming in 10 degree weather over the weekend, and then catch a cold. Basically Everyone is sick at my school ALL the time.
Some of my teachers get mad at me when I wear my bandanna, but if they make me sit next to, talk to, and help out sick people, why shouldn't I be able to wear it? I'm not going to get sick because of one stupid person. Last week, I skipped alot of my classes just because I sat next to sick people in them and I don't want to get sick. Mainly because I just started working out, and if I'm sick, I won't be able to work out. (yes, working out is REALLY important to me.)
Now my question, I guess my question is, is there anything else I can do from getting sick? Any healthy tips that you can inform me on? (Besides obvious stuff like washing your hands.) Do you think the bandanna is a good idea? I've actually considered wearing a surgical mask but then people would think I'm even weirder.
Also, how possible is it that I'm going to get sick if I sit next to someone sick, for about 45 minutes every day? (Keep in mind that I'm wearing my bandanna over my nose and mouth.) ANY advice you have would be helpful because I'm flipping out right now.
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Health?
This question concerns me. Germs and illness are certainly a legitimate concern, but you seem to be taking it to an unhealthy level. Unless there's some reason why it would be extremely dangerous to you to be sick, you might be endangering your health by being overly cautious.
I understand that being sick sucks. But washing your hands and not rubbing your eyes are pretty much the advised courses of action.
Using a bandanna, and considering a surgical mask, shows serious signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or something similar.
The other piece of the puzzle is that if you get sick now, it's actually helping strengthen your immune system for later on in life. Basically, the immune system will create antibodies for each cold and flu that you get, making it much less likely to get sick as an adult. If you were sick often as a child, it's possible that you already have a certain level of protection from that.
The flu shot can also help. If you haven't gotten it but it's available, you might want to try. If you have gotten it, it might help give you peace of mind.
I am concerned with your level of anxiety. Not only is it detrimental to your emotional and mental health, but anxiety can also weaken the immune system.
I suggest reading more about OCD and seeing if you fit the mold. This is a good site:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
I would recommend that you talk to your doctor about your concerns. He or she can tell you if you're being overly cautious, or if your concerns and actions are reasonable given the circumstances.
Good luck.
]
Okay - here are the answers to your questions, first. How possible is it that you will get sick by sitting next to someone who's sick for about 45 minutes each day, while wearing a bandana over your nose and mouth? Well, assuming that you have a normal immune system, the answer is going to depend on several things - whether that other person is sick with a virus or a bacteria, whether the virus or bacteria is spread by droplets, whether the person is coughing/sneezing, how good his or her hygiene is, whether you accept anything that person has touched, such as papers passed over, the distance between your seats, and whether or not your immune system has already encountered this virus before. There's no way to quantify how likely you are to get sick from it because there are so many factors involved.
How to keep from getting sick otherwise? Washing your hands for 10 minutes won't help. You need to wash for approximately 1 minute in water as warm as you can stand, with soap. Regular soap will kill most germs. Hold your arms at an angle with the elbows up and fingertips down. Rinse very well and use a paper towel to turn the fawcet off. Antibacterial soap with triclosan can kill more germs, but it might help make some of them resistant, so the jury's out on that one. The bandana might make you feel better, but it may not in fact be effective. The weave is big enough that it may not filter out microdroplets which are produced when someone sneezes. A proper filtering mask (sold in grocery and discount stores) would be more effective. If the bandana makes you feel safer, you should change it frequently, not touching the outside, and make sure that it is clean and preferably bleached. In addition, carry around and frequently use hand sanitizer. It can kill germs quickly and efficiently. There's even hand sanitizer that has the ingredient triclosan, the antibiotic. I saw that on a pharmacy counter. Other tips are keep your nails short and clean, especially underneath the nail, don't get cuts or scrapes or pull hangnails, and use lotion on your hands to keep bacteria from getting into cracked skin. Wear gloves when handling raw foods. I'd just skip food from the cafeteria and fast food, as well. Eat a variety of foods, including "eating a rainbow" of fruits and veggies. Eat enough lean protein, dairy, and grains. Wash all produce before eating it. Don't touch door knobs or light switches if you can avoid it. Use a paper towel. Lysol your locker door handle and all other such surfaces. If you can help it, don't touch your face, especially near your eyes, mouth, and nose. Carry your own pens and don't use anyone else's or allow anyone to use yours. When you work out, clean all of the equipment right before you use it.
Now, if you continue to worry so much about getting sick, you are going to miss out on living. Take a look at this link: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
OCPD is not the same obsessive-compulsive disorder you hear about. It's more a personality type or, in extreme, a personality disorder. If you continue to skip classes and worry so much about germs that you could never do normal things, like kiss another person, your germophobia will interfere with your life significantly. I suggest that you should take a look around yourself and see if your fear of getting sick is in proportion to the risks of getting sick and the potential consequences. I think you may have more fear than is appropriate and you should try not to worry so much about it. If you can't stop thinking about it, I would suggest that you talk with a parent or school counselor to find out what to do next.
I hope I have helped.
Sabine
]
Hey. Now I'm completely NOT saying this to offend you because everyone has something. But it sounds like you're a germaphobe which isn't a bad thing at all. I know many people who have this. You can't walk around with a bandanna over your nose of all of your life because it's not healthy if you're this paranoid. Sick people is just like anything else. It would be like avoiding walking under lights above your head so they don't fall on you, or not going swimming because you're afraid you'll drown. If this was the case we would all be walking around in bubbles =). Everyone has to get sick once in a while, it's only normal but you're not going to catch something every time you're near people or people who are sick. Please trust me on this because I really want this to help you =). As for ways of preventing getting yourself sick, drink lots of orange juice and take vitamins. Also you have to get lots of rest because a good nights sleep always prevents a cold. Eat healthy foods like salads and such. Those are the main things, and like you said washing your hands. But please don't go around walking with a bandanna on your nose every day because the average person gets a cold Tops once every three months which is actually a lot. I really hope this helped and if you need anything else feel free to send me a message. Good luck! =)
]
Hey, foremost thanks for choosing me to answer your question! =]
I know quite some people who are just like that. It's excellent that you are washing your hands frequently, and exercising -- great ways to increase your immunity.
Understand that no matter how many things you do you will always be a risk of getting sick. It's just a matter of how healthy you are, and how well your methods are into decreasing your risk of getting sick.
You do not have to wear a bandanna over your nose and mouth. You can still catch viruses through it. So there is not much of a point. It's like comparing that to using a condom with a person with STDs. The STDs can still go through the condom, so condoms are not effective in preventing STDs.
Keep up the washing hands. But you don't have to do it for ten minutes. That's too much washing. That can just make you more susceptible to germs, (since you are also washing away good germs on your hands). Just wash for about 20 seconds before and after your eat, before and after you handle animals/pets, and whenever someone accidentally sneezes or coughs on you. Avoid touching your face when you need to itch. Wash your hands first, then itch, and wash again.
Also, it must be somewhat annoying if you wash your hands a thousand times a day, so try carrying hand sanitizer with you. So you can apply it on freely when around sick people so you don't have to get up and wash your hands. Take a multivitamin with you every day, the vitamins E, A, and C, can boost your immune system so you'll be more immune to the common cold and flu.
And obviously, always maintain hygiene. To you this may be common sense, but to some maintaining hygiene properly is a mystery. Use antibacterial body wash (containing triclosan) such as Dial Antibacterial body wash. It's a wonderful product! Also wash your face in the shower with Triclosan. You can find that in most Noxema facial washes.
When you shave you can also use Triclosan with Nozema shaving cream (that says on the top it contains triclosan) Make Triclosan your best friend because it kills germs!
Clean your clothes daily. When using whites, use bleach (it kills germs pretty easily).
Avoid sharing objects with people. You probably may already do this method but this is one of the biggest ways people get viruses. Avoid sharing pencils, pens, and other writing ovjects. Avoid sharing beverages and foods with other people. When you use silverwear or disposable ones, make sure they are cleaned and nobody has touched them.
Also eating healthy and boost the immune system. The fruits are the big guys who help the most with this, and some vegetables should get credit with this too. So get those vitamins from eating this!
If you have any more questions about this, or if you ever have any other things to ask about, feel free to drop another question in my inbox and I will be happy to answer it! =]
Or if you were not satisfied with my answer, then I can always edit it!
Hope I helped =]
]
I know that your question is asking for health tips, and not a diagnosis, but I think it's my responsibility to inform you that what your experiencing is the many side effects of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.) Don't freak out on me, I'm not saying that you have this disorder, I'm just telling you it may be smart to mentinon some of your symptoms to your parents.
It's normal to not want to get sick. Many people are just as terrified, if not more so, then you are now. I on the otherhand, have a weak immune system and catch every illness that comes my way. I hate getting sick too, but I guess you can say I've become used to it?
I don't think it's healthy to wear a bandanna to school, and especially not a surgical mask. It sucks that you catch more illnesses at school than anywhere else, but it's also life. If you don't want to get around kids that are sick, that's fine. But I don't think it's neccessary to freak out about it like you are. Just chill out. As for the exercise, you can still do exercising if you get sick, just lighter and less strenuous.
As for some health tips, don't stay up late. Get plenty of rest and try not to stress out to bad. Wash your sheets frequently, and eat healthy foods. Drink lots of water and juices without sugars. Also, talk to your parents about getting vitamins.
]
Haha i'm kind of the same way, except i dont wear a bandanna over my face. Well if you work out it builds up your immune system which it prevent you from getting sick alot. I just carry around hand sanitizer and i put some on in every class, it works. Trust me i've had people cough on my before but i didnt get sick. And yes take viatmins it also helps. Try not to be so paranoid about getting sick because if you do it can make you sick, it did to me anyways, so just relax and not think about getting sick.
]
Honey, by trying to keep away from germs, you're just making it worse for yourself. Because being exposed to germs makes you immune to them. By staying away from germs, when you actually get sick, your body will have a really hard time fighting it off.
This combined with your eating problems, shows classic symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. You should go talk to your doctor see if he can send you to a psychologist for treatment.
By that, I don't mean you have OCD for sure. All I'm saying is that I have OCD too and what you're telling me is very close to what I used to experience at your age. I'm still in treatment right now but I am not nearly as bad as I used to be.
These obsessions seem to be taking over your life, you need to talk to someone before it gets too late.
]
I would definately hold off on the surgical mask. One kid in my middle school class wore one occsionally & I must admitt it looked pretty weird. As for the bandana, I think it's a little much but if you feel the need for it.. go for it! You say your teachers make you sit next to & associate with sick kids. Explain your situation in depth. They should understand your condition & seat you next to healthy students. Maybe even get a doctors note that prohibits them to do this any longer. I'm pretty sure you carry around sometime of anti-bacterial wipe or cleanser? If not, buy one & bring it to school. Such as baby wipes or hand sanitizer. You can use the wipes to clean of your desk before sitting down, etc & use the sanitizer to wash your hands when a sink isn't avaliable. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth at all costs!.. when around a sick person. If you ever feel yourself getting ill, take tylenol (or whatever type of pill you use) at the first sign. DO NOT GO OVER BOARD W/ THE MEDICINE. I can't stress that enough. I'm sure you're a smart girl/or boy that knows what ammount is safe. Besides all this info, try talking to you doctor... he should have plenty of helpful tips. Hope I helped.
]
I wish I could give you a good answer to these questions, but I don't know the facts you seek. I don't want to tell you the wrong thing.
I know of two nurses on the site. I think they both give very good advice, and I feel confident one of them could answer your questions.
Just go to one of their links, copy and paste your question in their inbox.
Sabine:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Nallie:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Sorry I couldn't be of more help to you.
No need to rate me. Give the credit to the person who answers your questions. :D
]
I'm no expert on the subject, but I do know a few things.
First of all, there's not really a point in trying to avoid germs. Why? Germs are EVERYWHERE. You'd freak out if you knew how much bacteria was in your mouth.
Also, think of it this way: When you get a shot (Let's use the chicken pox vaccine as an example), there's a little bit of the illness in the vaccine. It's not enough to actually affect you, but the purpose is for your body to build an immunity to the disease. So, really, exposure=immunity, for the most part. That's why in most cases, people only get chicken pox once.
Logically, that means that your efforts to avoid germs and illness will probably backfire when you happen to get in contact with germs. Your body can't build an immunity to something that it's not exposed to. Plus, stress isn't good for your immune system, so constantly worrying about avoiding germs will probably make it more likely that you'll get sick.
And just because you're exposed to a germ, doesn't mean that it's going to make you sick. Like I said, you're always exposed to germs, and if every germ we came in contact with made us sick, we'd be sick 24/7.
I'll still give you some tips, though.
-Don't put your hands near your eyes or in your mouth.
-ALWAYS wash your hands after going to the grocery store, due to the raw meat that's sold there.
-Bathroom floors hold more bacteria than toilet seats do, so put your purse (if you're a girl, anyway) on the hook on the bathroom stall's door.
...Honestly, I can't tell you much more, because everything else I can think of is really obvious.
If it makes you feel any better, I rarely ever get sick. I don't need a mask or bandana, and I bite my nails. (And I should stop, but that's beside the point. Haha.) The last time I had to stay home from school because of illness was in middle school, maybe even late elementary school.
I think that you should try overcoming your fear because it's interfering with your life and your education.
I hope I helped, and if you have any more questions, feel free to leave another one in my inbox!
-Manders
]
Well, wash your hands haha. Drink lots of water, eat healthy foods and keep a healthy lifestlye with exercise and a good diet.
Eat proteins, vegetables, and fruits everyday and take vitamins...
If you think you're sick (maybe a sore throat or a runny nose) then don't think that it will go away fast. As soon as you see a symptom that signals you might be getting sick, take a medicine appropriate for it. Even the slightest ones. Drink green tea also (organic if you can) haha
]
I'm not a doctor so I don't really know how to help you. I went on google and searched some things and I found this website.
<p>
<p>
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
]
Alright well I'm going to start off by explaining that our bodies are made up of germs and some of them keep us healthy! I know it's kind of a creepy thought...
Anyway, we have to get sick eventually or else when we DO get sick (like with a cold or something) it becomes more serious because your body wasn't built strongly from the previous sicknesses. Washing your hands after and before meals is a very good idea and if there isn't one available ALWAYS bring hand sanatizer! It kills 99.9% of bad germs! Or you can even use that after washing your hands. The main way people get colds is when it's cold outside so people huddle together...or some people sneeze and it travels through the cold air so try to keep your distance from those people. As far as the bandanna goes...
I think you can stay pretty healthy without it but if you feel it's necessary go for it! I think it's a good idea if there's nothing else at hand. Sicknesses are most contagious an hour before a person gets sick so be sure to be around people that don't go swimming in 10 degree water for whatever reason they have to do that...
Now this might sound a little weird but wearing chapstick might help. Sounds very strange I know but I think it will give your lips less exposure to the germs in the air. And remember, if you do get sick...it's not the end of the world and it should be over within 3 to 4 days. 5 at the most depending on your illness. I REALLY hope I helped and if there's anything more I can do let me know! Maybe try googling some ways if I didn't help...
Hope I helped.
<3
-Lauren
]
Well I am no expert concerning health and I don't always take the best care of myself. I am a bit of a germophobe too, I wash my hands a lot, hate how they feel after I've touched money or keys. But, I do realize that worrying about germs every second of my life, is just not healthy. The only thing you can do is try to eat healthy and keep exercising *which you do*. Things like orange juice which have vitamin C are supposed to help you with colds and drinking plenty of water which cleans your system. The best thing I can advice you, is to go to your doctor and ask them what is the best way to go about not getting sick.
Good luck.
Teacup.
P.S. I used to carry hand sanitizer too, but one day my friend told me that it's not great to use all the time because it kills all germs, good and bad.
]
kay. i think personally your being paranoid. the bandana hun is liek over-excessive just try getting halls for your mouth incase any germs do enter your mouth, if a teacher tries to pair you up with a sick person explain to the teacher after school you have a problem with being paired up with sick people or get one of your relatives to write a note to the school. in class also try moving seats or getting another assigned seat so you wont be near anybody sick. get hand cleansers those antibacterial ones, and get your shots so you wont get sick from common colds. being around people who are sick doesnt mean you'll totally get sick immediatly. i think you have a phobia. [:. look if somebody has a cold remember common colds do get treated easily and if you've had all your shots there's nothing to worry about. hope i helped [:
]
DUDE!!! chill out getting sick isn't that bad. All I can think of is take your vitamines,and wash your hands. About sitting by sick people in class, you could kindly explain to your teachers that getting sick is a big deal for you, and maybe they'll move you.
]
ok, yes it is important to stay healthy, but germs are just part of life and you aren't going to die from a common cold, just keep reminding yourself of that.
i don't know you, so it's hard to say, but could you possibly have OCD? it's not that rare of a disorder, but if you are that worried about something like sitting next to a person with a cold, it's definitely possible, just google it and find out if you have the symptoms.
also, eat lots of fruits with vitamin c and take multivitamins, that will help prevent sickness
ADDED: why did you start talking about working out and gaining ten pounds in your feedback to my answer to your germ problem? can you please clear this up because all i did was try to help you become less ancious about germs, nothing about gaining and losing weight, and OCD was just an option, what you described sounded just like it so i shouldn't be blamed for trying to help you
]
if you`re really that scared of getting sick, i suggest you go to your local albertsons/cvs/walgreens/etc. and buy some airborn. that helps kill germs before you get sick from them. as for the bandanna, i wouldn`t wear it because i think it`s disrespectful, but if you really think you need it and are that afraid of being sick, just wear it. but don`t skip class to avoid getting sick. if you miss too much class, the school does have the ability to flunk you or something else. if you are scared beyond scared and will do whatever it takes to not get sick, i suggest you get home schooled.
]
More Questions: |