In the 8+ years that I have been a T1 diabetic, I’ve noticed that it has become much more difficult to fight off colds, flu, taxes you name it… which has turned me into a Germ-a-Phobe. If anyone tells me that they or their kid or grandma is sick I run for the hills and then cover myself in purell. I really hate getting sick… Any other Germ-A-Phobes out there?
I don’t even consciously think about it, but whenever I come into my house, I always wash my hands!
Im not but I think it may be that I grew up with diabetes so I really dont know anything else. I do try to avoid sick people and wash up before eating but am lack to washing before testing probally the time I should be doing it. I think being a Germ a Phobe is probally not a bad thing and unless you turn into a “Monk” the guy on tv, would not worry to much about it.Stay Well!!!
The immune system is a learning machine, and the more we’ve been exposed to the more efficient it becomes. I take that to heart and I seldom avoid germs or sick people, unless I feel weakened (no sleep, stressed, high blood sugar) or they’ve got something particularly nasty. I almost never get sick and I never use sick days. I haven’t been to a non-endo doctor in at least a decade. Everyone’s constitution is different and so above all else it’s important to listen to your own body in this regard.
Oh, and I’ve noticed that If my blood sugar gets over 400 and I haven’t slept then it’s almost guaranteed I’ll get sick regardless of obvious germs, but fortunately that’s a very rare occurrence.
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I don’t worry about it I pick up other peoples trash for a living a lot of times by hand no big dill. Get the Flu shot every year and have very little problems. Guess God has blessed me that way.
Not me. But, then, I’ve never had any problems with infections either. I take public transportation to work and there are always a bunch of people coughing, wheezing and whatever all over the place.
Go figure…
Brian, first of all… that’s hilarious! Yes, getting sick and catching things being diabetic SUCKS. And it’s hard to fight off. Thank goodness for flu shots every year to help. So, I used to be so germ-aphobic THEN I had kids… there ya go. It’s over. And they are in daycare… so there you go again. So, I do the best I can keeping us all healthy. But I do know my immune system has been built up big time because of the kid exposure and that helps. But getting sick is gonna happen. 
Never thought about it, but no. Makes perfect sense though. I’m a teacher, so I catch just about everything.
Thanks for all the interesting feedback. I hope you all stay well!
my doctor says the best time to get the flu shot this year is mid-October
One more thought…
Probiotic foods (yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut, etc) increase the strength of the immune system. I routinely consume kefir and yogurt and it seems to work for me. As long as you’re strong you don’t have to worry as much as what’s out there.
I work in a pharmacy and a big fan of clorox wipes and hand sanitizer! I am for sure a germaphobe ! I use hand the hand sanitizer after waiting on each patient . One plus for me is it is so darn cold in are pharmacy I dont think a germ could live long .
I’m not really a germ -a -phobe… I work in a restaurant so hand washing is constant anyway but I’m always in contact with customers utensils and used napkins etc. I can also say I haven’t missed a day of work for being sick in years … like more than 15!! At home, I rarely if ever come down with what my kids or husband have. I like to blame my “super immune system” for my autoimmune problems.
I never used to be, but somewhere around the 20-year mark I suddenly realized I’d become really persnickety about it! Like, I get very annoyed when people come to work sick. It’s a bit embarrassing, but I do tend to stay sicker a bit longer than non-diabetics. So… yes, I am a total germaphobe, and it’s only gotten worse since I had my son nearly three years ago!
I can’t believe I’m admitting this to you people, you’d never guess how uptight I am about this if you were to meet me in person. =)
I’m not a germaphobe. My grandmother said that dirt & germs make you stronger:) I agree with Aaron. I don’t worry about getting sick & rarely get sick. My husband’s a college professor & gets ill at least once a semester from his students. I never catch what he’s got.
ok I’m glad I’m not the only one! I don’t leave my house without my mini purell bottle and I refuse to touch doorknobs of any kind with my bare hands. I’ll use my sleeve or just wait for someone else to open it…maybe I should talk to someone about OCD haha
I am a Germaphobic but I also believe that has more to do with having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD). We are all exposed to germs which is to our advantage, none the less. I haven’t been sick since 2003 thankfully(knock on wood). I gave in and started getting the flu-shot a couple years ago also.
Kinda,but not diabetes driven–losing the spleen driven…and it sucks!
Sorta, kinda. I keep a container of Lysol wipes at my desk. The first thing I do when I get to work is wipe my phone and other nearby items that other people may have used in my absence. I also wash my hands often. I get the flu shot. I haven’t had a cold (or flu) for several years.
Well, I am not phobic but it is a learning process that avoidance can be helpfull sometimes. College was really hard for me in autumn and winter with all the students that have catched a cold. I got it always. Two weeks ago I catched my last cold in the train. Makes me dream to wear a medical mask in crowds. But I will not do so because it looks ridiculous. Anyway I still think that the likelyhood of me being ill is equal to that of non diabetic people. The problem is that these illnesses have dramatic consequences for my diabetic control which I really hate.