The article discusses the alarming rise of germ denial in the U.S., particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the distinction between legitimate germ theory, which underpins much of modern medicine, and germ denial, which minimizes or outright rejects the role of microbes in disease. Some individuals promote the outdated 'terrain theory,' suggesting that health issues stem solely from poor internal conditions rather than germs. The article calls for the public, health professionals, and scientists to recognize and counter this dangerous trend, which compromises public health.
While some germ deniers go so far as to claim viruses and bacteria are not dangerous or, oddly, that they do not even exist, a more insidious version has spread rapidly since COVID-19 emerged.
Germ theory is a foundational component of modern medicine. It states that many human diseases are caused by microorganisms-bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi-and that treating those microorganisms prevents these diseases.
Germ denial, by contrast, is the rejection or minimization of this well-established theory. Some germ deniers call themselves 'terrain theorists,' promoting the 19th-century view that disease only happens in people with a 'damaged terrain'.
All of us, whether we are health professionals, scientists, or just concerned citizens, need to recognize germ denial when we see it and push back against movements that endanger public health.
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