Acceptable or Unhygienic?

Saying a few germs don't matter is wrong, some of us have compromised immune systems and it is a big deal

Yes I know about the fondue thing Daphne just an idiosyncracy of mine, as I said we all have different levels of tolerance. A lot of people find the fact I have three dogs in the house unhygienic,.

harrigran, I too have a compromised immune system due to having had cancer and subsequent treatment twice within the past three years.

I still don't go around worrying about things like children's shoes in supermarket trolleys and whether I'll pick up something from a cosmetic tester. Common sense and washing hands when I get home seems to keep me reasonably fit!

Saying a few germs don't matter is wrong, some of us have compromised immune systems and it is a big deal yes it is, and can result in septicaemia (now known as sepsis).

And anyone could catch a cold sore from a used lipstick.

My pet hate is people with really chesty coughs not bothering to use a tissue to cough into.
Cant stand to see children in the main section of a trolley, not just because of the germs but because of the danger, a young child died when one tipped over, it was a accident that should never have happened and a moment in time that cannot be turned back.

When my son was having mega chemo I became very germ conscious. Really pissed off with girlfriend who turned up with takeaway Thai food that she had bought the day before and transported in a car.
But its left me with a dislike of pastries being left around on counters and in shops without being covered. This is a great way of avoiding eating unnecessary Danish pastries etc etc.
Motto: "Only eat cake if it looks absolutely wonderful, AND has been covered"

People don't realise
(even in hospital! - including the staff).

People don't realise what?

Whatever one of the staff in the hospital I was in didn't realise (not a nurse, she was handing round meals). She saw a dropped tissue on the floor, picked it up, and put it in the bin. Then she lifted slices of bread with the same hand and put them onto patients's plates - very delicately with a pinkie extended. None of us ate the bread.

That some people with compromised immune systems may be more susceptible to germs that other people can easily overcome. Therefore the 'eat a peck of dirt before you die' may not be true for someone who may be on medication which reduces their immunity.

People who may be receiving treatment which reduces their immunity, or people whose immunity is low for whatever reason, don't want to stay indoors and be wrapped in cottonwool, but it would be nice if other people realised that perhaps getting some faeces on the packaging of their food could cause other people to become ill; slightly 'off' food such as the Thai food that JessM mentioned could cause a momentary bit of a tummy upset in most people (or no reaction at all) but could make someone with a low neutrophil count quite ill; or 'double-dipping' in warmish food could cause germs to multiply quite rapidly.

Obviously the person concerned knows what precautions to take and what to avoid, but it isn't always easy if other people don't observe fairly sensible rules on hygiene.

A spare s got into that post.

DaphneBroon......that's just what I thought!!!! Never ever thought about it!!! As to sharing food, I lived in Spain for many years and the Spanish way is to put the salad at the start of the meal in the middle and evryone helps themselves.....no plates, from communal dish to mouth! Same with dips of olive oil and balsamic oil dipping bread! Hasn't killed me yet!

Well, you probably have a strong immune system spanishsue

Jalima, did you read my post about my compromised immune system?

I really don't see why anyone who was trying to say that some reactions to 'shoes in trolleys' and other day to day problems were possibly OTT deserved an emoticon!

I didn't give you a emoticon Ana

Maybe spanishsue's immune system is strong because she's allowed herself to be exposed to doubtful foods etc.
I believe the increase in allergies is thought to be due to over-hygienic habits, ie worrying too much about germs.
This thread reminds me of an old one about changing your teatowels and dishcloths every day.

No, harrigran gave a general 'angry' emoticon to anyone who had said a few germs didn't matter, I was just making the point that even some of us with compromised immune systems don't get aerated about possible encounters with possible germs which might possibly affect one...

I'm off this thread now, you'll be glad to know!

Ok if you have immune system problems be careful.
I have been to many help yourself buffets and apart from one where the rice had not been properly kept I have not had a problem.

I don't think you are going to easily catch cold sores etc unless you are snogging someone with one.

Germs are everywhere in general we live with them fairly well. Proper food storage practices and hand hygiene before eating are important.
Would you avoid the sea side and the sand? Not let your kids pick up sticks to play with they have been lying on the sometimes muddy ground. ???

I think this is all going a bit too far. If you carry this to extremes you had better go around dressed in full virus protection gear, of the nature used in the Ebola crisis.

I worry we are being brain washed into an irrational fear of bugs by the manufacturers of cleaning products.
My DETTOL whinge again.

I suspect there are some on here who really do feel under that sort of threat.
Give your immune system something to stimulate it into action.

I've actually got a very strong immune system and hardly ever catch anything that might be doing the rounds of our eight grandchildren. I'm not a germ phobic and will happily eat something I've dropped on the floor, well my floor anyway. It's just the idea of something that's been in someone else's mouth digging into food I'm expected to eat. Just turns my stomach for some reason and I can't eat. I'm the same with buffets, even on cruise ships. I can make exceptions for OH and GC though.

I don't really see the problems with buffets. You help yourself (or are served) using serving spoons/forks to put food on your plate, take it away and eat it with you own knife and fork. If it is finger food there may be tongs or fish slice thingies but again, I have never worried that somebody might have picked up a sausage roll and put it back again.
Why are some people so precious???
DH has been on immunosuppressants for the last 19 years after his transplant and has experienced no such probkems so why are some people so "delicate"?

Careful Ana we might find ourselves agreeing with each other again!!

I don't think you are going to easily catch cold sores etc unless you are snogging someone with one.
Chance would be a fine thing these days nelliemoser!

DH has been on immunosuppressants for the last 19 years after his transplant and has experienced no such probkems so why are some people so "delicate"?

Well, if anyone on here has had septicaemia as a result of a completely suppressed immune system then they may just be a bit more empathetic.
I am not precious and I know what to avoid and exactly how to wash my hands, do not rush round Dettoxing every surface wherever I go, but my bugbear is the shoes in trolleys ....

Sorry, but I can't help it, I feel the same about dog poo in children's playgrounds and on local sports grounds.

Actually jalima DH has had several hospital admissions with sepsis some of three weeks or longer, IV antibiotics and all and none of them to do with the examples quoted here. Some have been after hospital procedures since prophylactic antibiotics are no longer routinely administered, some have been caught IN hospital and some have been a result of pockets of infection in areas such as his bile duct. We all carry bacteria in our gut and it can spread into the bloodstream with the minutest internal abrasion, despite perfectly antiseptic conditions. He is on BFF terms with C.diff, E. Coli and MRSA.
I think I could write the definitive book on sepsis and believe me buffet meals or children riding in supermarket trolleys would not earn a mention. (Since when did we have uncovered food in our trolleys anyway?)
Good basic hygiene, not hysteria is what we need, not Dettol wipes, or wearing masks in the street like Japanese tourists. Good basic common sense, actually.

Jalima I did qualify my post with a compromised immune system warning.

I know I said I was off this thread, but well said DaphneBroon!