Germophobes of the world unite! Now, technically, “germophobia” is not a real word. The actual word is mysophobia. It’s an abnormal fear of or distaste for uncleanliness or contamination. If germs give you the creepy-crawlies, well, then, either this is the absolute best or worst conversation for you.
We talk about why some of us are so deathly afraid of germs, while others give little or no notice to them (hint: the second group may help explain the first), as we talk with behavioral psychologist Dr. Stacey Bourland, and Dr. Luis Ostrosky, a Professor of Infectious Diseases at UT Health, and the the Medical Director for Epidemiology at Memorial Hermann.
