[pct-l] Handshakes

[Michael S]

I'm sorry, but there's no such thing as a "balanced ecosystem of germs" since every day we are exposed to thousands, if not millions of new viruses and bacteria every day.  And water is a major source of intestinal issues, mostly not because of bacteria or viruses, but mainly from pathogenic parasites such as nematodes, amoeba, and other things. 

But I do agree with you.  Not only would I not want to eat from someone else's gorp bag, but I wouldn't want them in mine.  In a healthcare setting, no one sticks their hands into someone else's potato chips or peanuts, they pour it out into their hands.  Probably something you should do if you run into a starving soul on the trail.  

Michael
michaels at skepticalraptor.com
http://www.skepticalraptor.com/skepticalraptorblog.php



On Feb 8, 2012, at 13:39 :47PST, Eric Lee wrote:

Michael wrote:
> 
However, I'm going to have to say that being on the trail for weeks on end,
passing of bacteria or viruses is not going to be much of an issue, because
you'll touch your clothing (especially since you're just bringing one set to
go light), your own skin, rocks, dirt, water, etc.  Seriously, I wouldn't
worry about it.
> 

The issue isn't *all* germs, but rather picking up new germs that aren't
already part of your balanced ecosystem of germs; in particular, new
fecal-borne germs that you don't already have.  Those are the ones that
upset the balance and make you sick.  I don't have references available at
the moment but my understanding is that a lot of illnesses that people blame
on bad water are actually caused by bad fecal matter picked up from other
people via handshakes, dipping into each other's gorp bags, etc.

Eric