Toilet plume

[RyRy]

I've read about how urine germs and fecal germs are launched into the air when a toilet is flushed. If those germs land on clothing, how long are they likely to live on there if the clothing is kept dry and hasn't been washed since? The "incident" happened 2 months ago and i didn't have diahorrea but possibly had a UTI at the time. Thanks

[StringJunky]

It would appear most UTI-causing bacteria normally inhabit the gastrointestinal tract, which are commensal normally there; they are just in the wrong place when they are in your bladder or urinary tract. Everybody co-infects each other with these bacteria all the time every time they use a toilet. We are evolved to deal with it without incident normally.The time to be more proactive in ones hygiene is probably when you have noticeable pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria, like when you have food poisoning diarrhoea etc, which can be deposited on seats handles etc. They don't last long outside the body because they are adapted to oxygen-poor environments.

Quote

The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra.

Infection of the bladder (cystitis). This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, sometimes other bacteria are responsible.

Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop it. All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy — specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.

Infection of the urethra (urethritis). This type of UTI can occur when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. Also, because the female urethra is close to the vagina, sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and mycoplasma, can cause urethritis.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447

If you still feel angst, contact your doctor or an advice line that specialises in it. An STI one would be worth consulting too as they will see UTI's routinely.

Edited August 5, 2018 by StringJunky

[RyRy]

Thanks StringJunky,  I'm just worried about infecting other people after 2 months. I would imagine anything harmful would be dead by now, but i dont know 

[StringJunky]

2 hours ago, RyRy said:

Thanks StringJunky,  I'm just worried about infecting other people after 2 months. I would imagine anything harmful would be dead by now, but i dont know 

You are still scattering now the same bacteria-types  about that you did then.... just as everybody else is.  You've not got a legally notifiable disease, I'd forget about it.

Edited August 5, 2018 by StringJunky

[iNow]

Most infectious bacteria and viruses can only survive outside the body for a few hours or days. 

Given the 2 month period cited by the OP, my guess is there’s no need for concern.

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/infections/how-long-do-bacteria-and-viruses-live-outside-the-body/

[PhilGeis]

Exposure from such a source is ubiquitous.