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What Are The Chances Of Infection Transmission Through Contract With Non Hygienic Objects?

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Posted on Fri, 3 Jul 2015
Question: I used my shirt to press a walk signal button today instead of my finger. (Pressed it through the other side of the shirt, basically.) Because I am trying to overcome an aversion to germs, and because I was irritated at myself for obsessing over it, I eventually put the offending part of the shirt in my mouth. My question is this: can this have infected me with anything, or made me infectious? I am going out in public tomorrow and want to make sure I'm not a risk to anyone else.
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Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you wont pose any threat but wash your shirt

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Anything used by public in general has a potential of causing some infection due to variable hygenic practices folowed by people using that thing..

However, this is not a big risk and just by maintaing your normal daily hand washing routine infection can be avoided.

You pressed the button by using shirt- this was fine but, dont put that part in mouth ever as it has touched the public button.

This is not going to pose any harm to anyone else when you go out tommorow.

However, you should wash that shirt and not use any cloth todo such such thing in future. It is neither necessary nor right.

Doing this will increase the obsession and give mind another problem to suspect unnecessarily.

So, the answer to your query is that you will not pose any public danger by doing such thing.

If you have such thoughts of contamination and diseases - you must take treatment. The time spend in such thoughts when used properly can make your carrier grow.
Save your mind by taking medicine.

Hope the reply helps.
Please feel free to ask more queries.

Wish you good luck!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Manisha Gopal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 947 Questions

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What Are The Chances Of Infection Transmission Through Contract With Non Hygienic Objects?

Brief Answer: you wont pose any threat but wash your shirt Detailed Answer: Hello, Anything used by public in general has a potential of causing some infection due to variable hygenic practices folowed by people using that thing.. However, this is not a big risk and just by maintaing your normal daily hand washing routine infection can be avoided. You pressed the button by using shirt- this was fine but, dont put that part in mouth ever as it has touched the public button. This is not going to pose any harm to anyone else when you go out tommorow. However, you should wash that shirt and not use any cloth todo such such thing in future. It is neither necessary nor right. Doing this will increase the obsession and give mind another problem to suspect unnecessarily. So, the answer to your query is that you will not pose any public danger by doing such thing. If you have such thoughts of contamination and diseases - you must take treatment. The time spend in such thoughts when used properly can make your carrier grow. Save your mind by taking medicine. Hope the reply helps. Please feel free to ask more queries. Wish you good luck! Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Neuropsychiatry