Spores life span

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Terpa
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Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:03 pm

Spores life span

Postby Terpa » Wed Dec 05, 2018 5:53 pm

How long do spores live outside of the body on hard and soft surfaces?

beth22
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: Spores life span

Postby beth22 » Thu Dec 06, 2018 2:23 am

Spores can live for months on surfaces. That is why it is important to wash your hands.

Terpa
Regular User
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:03 pm

Re: Spores life span

Postby Terpa » Thu Dec 06, 2018 3:26 am

Being more specific I’ve heard for 5 months and a yr. Which is true?

I’m scared that I may have reinfected myself while cleaning in the bathroom near the toilet plunger. I’m post 1 yr cdiff free...

beth22
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: Spores life span

Postby beth22 » Fri Dec 07, 2018 2:22 am

I would ask your doctor. I don't think anyone really knows for sure. It may even depend on the strain of c difficile. I have read months, not years, but maybe your doctor has some knowledge of research that was done more recently.

LHutz
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Re: Spores life span

Postby LHutz » Thu Dec 20, 2018 9:34 pm

I think it depends on a lot of factors, including the type of surface. But as long as you washed with soap and water whatever part of your body came in contact with the possibly contaminated area, you should be fine, even if there were spores on that surface.

And my understanding is that many of us who have had C. Diff. continue carrying spores even after we're "healed." So it's important that we continue practicing good hand hygiene.

beth22
Long Time Contributor
Posts: 10852
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: Spores life span

Postby beth22 » Fri Dec 21, 2018 2:02 am

I seem to have the spores for life as I test positive on PCR and have done so for the last two and a half years. My EIA toxin tests are negative though, which means no active infection. Hopefully, someday there will be a medication that kills the spores too, but until then, wash your hands well!


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