Do you worry about germs and getting ill?

Do germs and the idea of getting ill worry you? I’ve wondered if this is related to autism as no one else in my family gets anxious about germs and illnesses. I’m the only neurodiverse one in my family and I’ve realized no one is freaked out by getting sick. I heard on the car radio about the recent norovirus outbreak and after work yesterday and this morning after going in town I came home washed my hands several times with soap and water, washed my phone with disinfectant and then changed all my clothes and put the worn clothes through the wash. I'm always told I overreact over this but to me it’s normal and makes sense to do this. Why risk infecting myself when I can disinfect items and reduce my chances of getting a cold of stomach virus? An early example was when I was at school a girl came in class and said she had been ill yesterday and I got so frightened I nearly had a panic attack and moved to a different table. It's always been something that worries me.

Parents
  • I think many people have got more obsessive about germs and illness since Covid too.

    I feel that (provided it doesn't get to the point of obsession beyond reason) it is actually better to be observant with one's health because you'd more likely be noticing things, and to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed as they say.  

    It is a fact that the NHS continually put out public information telling people to be aware, so in my view this is an extension of it, and represents common sense. 

    However, you do say 'worry' and if it gets to that level it is worth speaking to a professional about it.  Awareness is good, obsession not so good, and maybe a trip to the GP is a good idea if the latter is the case. 

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  • I think many people have got more obsessive about germs and illness since Covid too.

    I feel that (provided it doesn't get to the point of obsession beyond reason) it is actually better to be observant with one's health because you'd more likely be noticing things, and to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed as they say.  

    It is a fact that the NHS continually put out public information telling people to be aware, so in my view this is an extension of it, and represents common sense. 

    However, you do say 'worry' and if it gets to that level it is worth speaking to a professional about it.  Awareness is good, obsession not so good, and maybe a trip to the GP is a good idea if the latter is the case. 

Children
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