Spores life span
-
- Regular User
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:03 pm
Spores life span
How long do spores live outside of the body on hard and soft surfaces?
-
- Long Time Contributor
- Posts: 10859
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm
Re: Spores life span
Spores can live for months on surfaces. That is why it is important to wash your hands.
-
- Regular User
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:03 pm
Re: Spores life span
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...
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...
-
- Long Time Contributor
- Posts: 10859
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm
Re: Spores life span
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.
-
- Regular Contributor
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2018 7:11 am
Re: Spores life span
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.
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.
-
- Long Time Contributor
- Posts: 10859
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm
Re: Spores life span
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!
Return to “General C. diff. Discussion”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 59 guests