Comments on: Oh, Boy – More Germ-Related Panic – This Time, in Hotel Rooms

By: Black Carpet beetle

Black Carpet beetle — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:01:01 +0000

This blog has so much Great information in it that i could spend all week reading it.

By: Rhea Jill

Rhea Jill — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:33:35 +0000

I do not take things as far as Megan does, however, I find no harm in wiping down the remote, light switches, toilet handles and phone when I visit a hotel.

I like the smell, and it makes me feel better.

By: SlyFox

SlyFox — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:22:48 +0000

So she likes to be clean! What is the big deal? People like you love to roll in your own germs, then sneeze and wipe your snotty nose with your hands and touch door knobs. So thanks for starting the H1N1!

By: Iceman

Iceman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:39:49 +0000

@Gray: Your chem prof probably was talking about VRE, vancomycin-resistant enterococcus. However, I think the media has overblown its deadliness. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really really bad and antibiotic resistance is a bad thing. I was actually thinking about this earlier today in clinic, how would the anti-bacterial wipes cause antibiotic resistance? Most of those wipes are alcohol based and wouldn’t breed specific resistance.

On a broader note, I totally agree with you. This woman has taken the whole cleanliness thing overboard. 99.9% (and probably higher) of bacteria is harmless. They just get a bad rap.

By: A Kimyai

A Kimyai — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:51:08 +0000

I don’t think Megan is so crazy.

Do you remember this story on ABC News?

“Hotel guests may be surprised at what we found. Urine or semen stains were confirmed in every room we examined — including on the bedspreads, the blankets, the walls, carpet, a desk top, a table and on upholstered chairs. One astounding discovery was in a hotel in Los Angeles, where we found a urine stain on the Bible.”

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/story?id=1507794

By: G.Ro

G.Ro — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:23:59 +0000

@Iceman – Hmmm – I’m now at a loss! :p I simply cannot remember – my organic chemistry professor mentioned the type of resistant bacteria the first day, coupled with, “I’m sorry to say it, but, if you are infected with this type of resistant bacteria, you’re dead.” I thought it was vancomycin-resistant bacteria . . . but, I guess not. I will keep racking the ol’ brain.

By: Iceman

Iceman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:25:42 +0000

Unfortunately Gray, even VRE and VRSA can be treated by imipenem, linezolid, dapsone, but it’s definitely not pleasant with some of the side effects and length of treatment.

By: Dirk

Dirk — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:10:16 +0000

Great line:

“Wow, what is Megan doing? Entering a goddamn biohazard level four laboratory at the fucking CDC?”

People are so scared these days and Megan should stop flying. People who live there lives in cocoons are more prone to pick something up than people who live relaxed and are more exposed to what is out there.

By: G.Ro

G.Ro — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:45:12 +0000

Thanks so much for the corrections, folks! Oops – I meant vancomycin-resistant bacteria as instant (or somewhat prolonged) doom. My bad.

Corrections have been noted on the post. Thanks, again.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:24:10 +0000

Thank-you for this! I wish I could have said it better, so I will just reference this post when needed.