germophobe

noun: one who suffers from spermatophobia, or a person who obsesses about avoiding contact with germs.

Harry is such a germophobe. He's stuck in the bathroom again until someone opens the door for him.

Poor Sally, she's a germophobe. Her hands are raw red from washing them so much. Why did she take that job at the free clinic?

germophobe by shoots-the-moon March 7, 2010

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Germaphobic

This is an abnormal mental condition in a person characterized by an inflated or irrational fear of catching disease. People who go to extreme lengths to protect themselves from catching disease are said to be "germaphobic" .

Examples include:

1)Using paper towels to turn off taps and open doors in bathrooms.
2)Avoiding finger food that is placed in communal serving dishes e.g. potato chips.
3)Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after shaking hands or simply refusing to shake hand with others.

People who suffer from OCD are often germaphobic and in slang are said to be Germaphobes.

Person 1: "Wow! that Bill guy is totally germaphobic. After I shook hands with him he had to completely disinfect his hands with hand sanitizer! What up with that?"

Germaphobic by Dr. Zauis March 13, 2010