The way we prevent getting sick is we take general precautions against germs and we keep our immune systems boosted with vitamins, healthy foods, exercise and we try to handle our stress. We also stay home if we are sick to avoid spreading our germs.
I hate to tell you, but germs are EVERYWHERE! They are in the air, they are on your clothes, on your hair. The reason you get sick ISN'T because you touched germs. It's because your immune system is down due to stress or poor diet.
If germs were the ONLY factor in getting sick, then why is it that certain people in your family can catch a cold but not the others? Is it just because those people didn't "touch the germs?" How ridiculous! Many illnesses are airborne anyway.
I wash my hands before teaching, after teaching, after using the restroom (of course!), before & during cooking and after eating etc. I usually SIT on public restroom toilets!! THE HORROR! I touch the door handle when I leave! I take reasonable precautions, I'm not going to lick the door handle or eat gum off the street.
The best thing you can do is handle your body--not the germs. They are EVERYWHERE! We like Emergen-C as an immune system booster in the winter. Your bodies usually need extra vitamin C during cold and flu season.
We are not sick very often in our family. We get the occasional cold, maybe 2 times a year. And usually it's only one of us, not all 3.
If taking your precautions makes you feel better, then by all means do it. But taking care of your mental health and keeping your body strong really are the best things you can do about illnesses.