It depends on the type of bacteria or virus, what kind of surface they are on and what the surrounding environment is like, for example, if it's hot, cold, damp or sunny. Cold viruses Many different types of viruses can cause colds. The viruses can sometimes survive on indoor surfaces for more thanRead more
It depends on the type of bacteria or virus, what kind of surface they are on and what the surrounding environment is like, for example, if it’s hot, cold, damp or sunny.
Cold viruses
Many different types of viruses can cause colds. The viruses can sometimes survive on indoor surfaces for more than 7 days. In general, viruses survive for longer on non-porous (water resistant) surfaces, such as stainless steel and plastics, than porous surfaces, such as fabrics and tissues. Although cold viruses have been shown to survive on surfaces for several days, their ability to cause an infection reduces rapidly and they don’t often survive longer than 24 hours.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), another cold-like virus that can cause serious illness in children, can survive on worktops and door handles for up to 6 hours, on clothing, and tissues for 30 to 45 minutes and on skin for up to 20 minutes.
Flu viruses
Flu viruses capable of being transferred to hands and causing an infection can survive on hard surfaces for 24 hours. Infectious flu viruses can survive on tissues for only 15 minutes.
Parainfluenza virus, which causes croup in children, can survive for up to 10 hours on hard surfaces and up to 4 hours on soft surfaces.
Stomach bugs
There are many germs that can cause a stomach bug. They include bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) and campylobacter, as well as viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus.
Most bugs can be removed effectively by soap and water. To help prevent the spread of stomach bugs wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly after going to the toilet, and prepare food safely.
MRSA
The staphylococcus aureus bacteria that cause MRSA infections can survive for days to weeks on surfaces. MRSA bacteria can live on surfaces for longer than some other bacteria and viruses because they survive better without moisture. Generally, MRSA bacteria survive for longer on hard surfaces than on soft surfaces.
Herpes
The herpes virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, dies very quickly when it’s away from your skin. It’s usually passed on by kissing or oral sex while the virus is active on the skin.
Preventing the spread of infection
It’s not always possible to avoid catching an illness, but there are ways to reduce your risk and to prevent infections spreading to others:
Wash your hands regularly, particularly after going to the toilet, before handling food and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
Wash fabrics that may be contaminated with bacteria or viruses at 60C (140F) and with a bleach-based laundry product. Read more about keeping clothes clean in Can clothes and towels spread germs?
Yes, clothes and towels can spread germs. There are 3 main ways that germs are spread by clothes and towels: when towels or bedlinen are used by more than 1 person germs can spread between them when someone handles dirty laundry they can spread germs onto their hands when clothes are washed, germs cRead more
Yes, clothes and towels can spread germs.
There are 3 main ways that germs are spread by clothes and towels:
when towels or bedlinen are used by more than 1 person germs can spread between them
when someone handles dirty laundry they can spread germs onto their hands
when clothes are washed, germs can spread between items in the process of being washed
How do germs get onto clothes and towels?
Germs on clothes and towels can come from our own body. We all have bacteria on the surface of our skin, in our noses and in our gut. These are often harmless, but some can cause infection, particularly in people with skin problems or wounds.
Most germs cannot penetrate through normal skin but may harmlessly colonise it. Washing your hands regularly is likely to be significantly more important than clothes washing at preventing most infections.
Underwear is more likely to have germs on it than outer clothing like jumpers or trousers. Underwear may contain germs from traces of faeces (poo) and from genital infections, such as thrush.
However, you can also pick up germs on your outer clothes, for example if you nurse someone with an illness or clean up vomit. Germs can also get onto outer clothing if you handle contaminated food or brush against a soiled object.
Normal washing of clothes will reduce the risk of germs being transmitted. In certain situations clothes should be washed at higher than normal temperatures and with a bleach-based product to minimise the transmission risk as much as possible.
Washing high-risk items
If the items you are washing are likely to cause illness (high risk), they should be washed at 60C with a bleach-based product. Items are likely to cause illness if you have someone in your home who has an infectious illness. The following items are also high risk:
clothes soiled with vomit or poo (including reusable nappies)
Always remove any vomit or poo from clothing before washing and flush it down the toilet. Heavily soiled items and items used in food preparation should be washed separately from other items.
You can protect yourself from infection by wearing gloves when handling high-risk laundry and always washing your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Washing everyday items
If you are washing lightly soiled everyday items that are not likely to cause illness, a normal wash with a detergent will be very effective at reducing the risk of transmitting any infection.
keep and wash heavily soiled clothes separately from other items
The length of time you're infectious for after having a viral infection depends on the type of virus involved. The infectious period often begins before you start to feel unwell or notice a rash. Bronchitis The length of time that bronchitis is infectious varies, depending on its cause. In most caseRead more
The length of time you’re infectious for after having a viral infection depends on the type of virus involved.
The infectious period often begins before you start to feel unwell or notice a rash.
Bronchitis
The length of time that bronchitis is infectious varies, depending on its cause.
In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu, and you’re likely to be infectious as long as you have cold or flu symptoms.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is infectious from 2 days before the spots appear to until they have crusted over, usually 5 days after they first appeared.
Common cold
The common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be infectious for around 2 weeks.
Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you’re most likely to spread the virus.
Flu
Flu is usually most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further 3 to 7 days.
Children and people with lowered immune systems may be infectious for a few days longer.
Glandular fever
Glandular fever isn’t particularly contagious and can usually only be spread through direct contact with saliva, which is why it’s sometimes called “the kissing disease”.
There’s no reason not to continue to go to school or work if you feel well enough.
Measles
Symptoms of measles appear around 10 days after you become infected.
Measles is most infectious after the first symptoms appear and before the rash develops.
When a person is "infectious", it means they're able to pass their infection on to others. You're usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, although this time period can sometimes vary. For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longerRead more
When a person is “infectious”, it means they’re able to pass their infection on to others.
You’re usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, although this time period can sometimes vary.
For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longer to absorb them or if you’re taking other medication that interacts with the antibiotics.
Medical advice
Talk to your pharmacist or GP if you have any questions or concerns about your course of antibiotics.
It’s important to finish your course of antibiotics, even if you’re no longer infectious and feeling better.
Failing to finish the course may result in the infection returning.
Yes, it is possible to get chickenpox more than once, but this is extremely rare. Most people who have had chickenpox won't get it again because they're immune to it for life. However, some people who have had chickenpox will develop a related condition called shingles later on. This is caused by thRead more
Yes, it is possible to get chickenpox more than once, but this is extremely rare.
Most people who have had chickenpox won’t get it again because they’re immune to it for life.
However, some people who have had chickenpox will develop a related condition called shingles later on. This is caused by the chickenpox virus being reactivated, usually several decades later.
You can get chickenpox from someone who’s got shingles.
You can’t get shingles from someone who’s got chickenpox.
You should: collect your poo (stool) sample in a completely clean (sterile) container store the container in a fridge in a sealed plastic bag if you can't hand it in straight away Collecting a stool sample Your GP or another healthcare professional, such as a nurse, should explain how to collect theRead more
You should:
collect your poo (stool) sample in a completely clean (sterile) container
store the container in a fridge in a sealed plastic bag if you can’t hand it in straight away
Collecting a stool sample
Your GP or another healthcare professional, such as a nurse, should explain how to collect the sample. It should be collected in a clean, dry screw-top container.
Your doctor or a member of staff at the hospital will give you a plastic (specimen) container to use, although you can use any clean container as long as you can seal it.
Try not to collect pee (urine) or water from the toilet along with the poo, but don’t worry if you do. If you need to pee, do this first before collecting the poo.
To collect the sample:
label a clean, screw-top container with your name, date of birth and the date
place something in the toilet to catch the poo, such as a potty or an empty plastic food container, or spread clean newspaper or plastic wrap over the rim of the toilet
make sure the poo doesn’t touch the inside of the toilet
use the spoon or spatula that comes with the container to collect the poo, then screw the lid shut
if you’ve been given a container, aim to fill around a third of it – that’s about the size of a walnut if you’re using your own container
put anything you used to collect the poo in a plastic bag, tie it up and put it the bin
wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water
Follow any other instructions your doctor has given you.
Storing a stool sample
Your sample of poo must be fresh – if it is not, the bacteria in it can multiply. This means the levels of bacteria in the stool sample won’t be the same as the levels of bacteria in your digestive system. If the levels of bacteria don’t match, the test results may not be accurate.
Your sample should be handed in as soon as possible, as sometimes it can’t be analysed after being refrigerated – your doctor will tell you if this is the case.
If you can’t hand your sample in immediately, find out how long it can be kept in the fridge. Your GP or the healthcare professional who requested the test will be able to tell you. If you can store it in the fridge, put the container in a sealed plastic bag first.
What are stool samples used for?
Your GP or another healthcare professional may ask you for a stool sample to help them diagnose or rule out a particular health condition.
Poo contains bacteria and other substances that are in the digestive system.
By testing the levels of these substances and bacteria in your poo, it’s possible to work out what’s happening in your digestive system.
You should: collect your pee (urine) sample in a completely clean (sterile) container store it in a fridge in a sealed plastic bag if you can't hand it in straight away Collecting a urine sample Your doctor or another healthcare professional should give you a container and explain how you should colRead more
You should:
collect your pee (urine) sample in a completely clean (sterile) container
store it in a fridge in a sealed plastic bag if you can’t hand it in straight away
Collecting a urine sample
Your doctor or another healthcare professional should give you a container and explain how you should collect the urine sample.
You can collect a urine sample at any time of day, unless your GP or practice nurse advises you otherwise.
The types of urine sample you might be asked for include a random specimen, first morning specimen or timed collection.
To collect a urine sample you should:
label a sterile, screw-top container with your name, date of birth and the date
wash your hands
start to pee and collect a sample of urine “mid-stream” in the container
screw the lid of the container shut
wash your hands thoroughly
Follow any other instructions your doctor has given you.
What is a mid-stream urine sample?
A mid-stream urine sample means you don’t collect the first or last part of urine that comes out. This reduces the risk of the sample being contaminated with bacteria from:
your hands
the skin around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body
Storing a urine sample
If you can’t hand your urine sample in within 1 hour, you should put the container in a sealed plastic bag then store it in the fridge at around 4C. Do not keep it for longer than 24 hours.
The bacteria in the urine sample can multiply if it is not kept in a fridge. If this happens, it could affect the test results.
What urine samples are used for?
Your GP or another healthcare professional may ask for a urine sample to help them diagnose or rule out certain health conditions.
Urine contains waste products that are filtered out of the body. If the sample contains anything unusual, it may indicate an underlying health problem.
Yes. If you're in hospital with an MRSA infection, you can still have visitors. However, it's a good idea to warn vulnerable people at risk of MRSA, so they can take special precautions. Visitors at risk of MRSA MRSA does not usually affect healthy people, including pregnant women, children and babiRead more
Yes. If you’re in hospital with an MRSA infection, you can still have visitors. However, it’s a good idea to warn vulnerable people at risk of MRSA, so they can take special precautions.
Visitors at risk of MRSA
MRSA does not usually affect healthy people, including pregnant women, children and babies.
Some visitors, however, are more at risk of MRSA. This includes people with:
If you have MRSA, it can be spread to a visitor if you have contact with their skin, especially if it’s sore or broken, or if they handle personal items you have used, such as towels, bandages or razors. Visitors can also catch MRSA from contaminated surfaces or hospital devices or items.
Visitors can reduce the risk of catching MRSA from a hospital patient they are visiting (and the other way around) by:
cleaning their hands just before and just after touching the patient
cleaning their hands before entering and after leaving the ward
Remind your visitors to clean their hands with soap and water or alcohol gel. Alcohol gel or hand rub dispensers are often placed near hospital beds and at the entrances to wards and bays or near lifts. Visitors can pick up organisms from the environment around you without even touching you.
If visitors have breaks in their skin, such as a sore or cut, they should keep them covered with a dressing to limit the risk of the MRSA getting into their body.
Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. It's usually caused by an infection, most commonly bacteria and viruses, which are both contagious. Catching pneumonia The germs that can cause pneumonia are usually breathed in. People often have small amounts of germs in theiRead more
Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. It’s usually caused by an infection, most commonly bacteria and viruses, which are both contagious.
Catching pneumonia
The germs that can cause pneumonia are usually breathed in. People often have small amounts of germs in their nose and throat that can be passed on through:
coughs and sneezes – these launch tiny droplets of fluid containing germs into the air, which someone else can breathe in
touching an object and transferring germs on to it – someone else can touch this object and then touch their own mouth or nose
Preventing the spread of pneumonia
You can help prevent the spread of a pneumonia by taking some simple hygiene precautions.
These include:
washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, particularly after touching your nose and mouth, and before handling food
coughing and sneezing into a tissue, then throwing it away immediately and washing your hands
not sharing cups or kitchen utensils with others
Vaccination
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia.
Vaccination is recommended for:
babies
adults aged 65 or over
children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition
The pneumococcal vaccine is usually given as part of the routine NHS child vaccination schedule. If you’re unsure if you or your child has been given the vaccine, check with your GP.
Infections that used needles and sharps can pass on to other people include: hepatitis B hepatitis C HIV Although rare, there's also a small risk of other infections being transmitted through contaminated blood, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). For immediate first aid adviRead more
Infections that used needles and sharps can pass on to other people include:
Once someone has used a needle, viruses in their blood may contaminate it. This includes needles used to inject illegal drugs.
Sharps can include other medical supplies, such as syringes, scalpels and lancets, and glass from broken equipment. Blood can also contaminate these.
Injuries from needles used in medical procedures are sometimes called needle-stick or sharps injuries.
People at increased risk
Some people have an increased risk of needle-stick injuries as a result of their job.
These include:
nurses
doctors
surgeons
dentists
dental nurses
phlebotomists
hygienists
laboratory technicians
the police
prison and probation services
customs and excise
social workers
funeral workers
piercers and tattooists
building and demolition workers
If you injure yourself with a used needle at work, report the incident to your supervisor or manager immediately. There may be procedures in place you need to follow.
If you’re at increased risk of needle-stick injuries because of your job, you may also need to take other preventative measures. For example, you may need to have a hepatitis B vaccination.
Support after an injury
If you have received treatment for a needle-stick injury, you may need some support. For example, counselling may help with any stress the injury has caused. Your employer’s occupational health service can advise you on sick leave.
How long do bacteria and viruses live outside the body?
InfoMed HEALTH
It depends on the type of bacteria or virus, what kind of surface they are on and what the surrounding environment is like, for example, if it's hot, cold, damp or sunny. Cold viruses Many different types of viruses can cause colds. The viruses can sometimes survive on indoor surfaces for more thanRead more
It depends on the type of bacteria or virus, what kind of surface they are on and what the surrounding environment is like, for example, if it’s hot, cold, damp or sunny.
Cold viruses
Many different types of viruses can cause colds. The viruses can sometimes survive on indoor surfaces for more than 7 days. In general, viruses survive for longer on non-porous (water resistant) surfaces, such as stainless steel and plastics, than porous surfaces, such as fabrics and tissues. Although cold viruses have been shown to survive on surfaces for several days, their ability to cause an infection reduces rapidly and they don’t often survive longer than 24 hours.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), another cold-like virus that can cause serious illness in children, can survive on worktops and door handles for up to 6 hours, on clothing, and tissues for 30 to 45 minutes and on skin for up to 20 minutes.
Flu viruses
Flu viruses capable of being transferred to hands and causing an infection can survive on hard surfaces for 24 hours. Infectious flu viruses can survive on tissues for only 15 minutes.
Parainfluenza virus, which causes croup in children, can survive for up to 10 hours on hard surfaces and up to 4 hours on soft surfaces.
Stomach bugs
There are many germs that can cause a stomach bug. They include bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) and campylobacter, as well as viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus.
Most bugs can be removed effectively by soap and water. To help prevent the spread of stomach bugs wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly after going to the toilet, and prepare food safely.
MRSA
The staphylococcus aureus bacteria that cause MRSA infections can survive for days to weeks on surfaces. MRSA bacteria can live on surfaces for longer than some other bacteria and viruses because they survive better without moisture. Generally, MRSA bacteria survive for longer on hard surfaces than on soft surfaces.
Herpes
The herpes virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, dies very quickly when it’s away from your skin. It’s usually passed on by kissing or oral sex while the virus is active on the skin.
Preventing the spread of infection
It’s not always possible to avoid catching an illness, but there are ways to reduce your risk and to prevent infections spreading to others:
Wash your hands regularly, particularly after going to the toilet, before handling food and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
Keep your home clean and hygienic, particularly if a member of your family is unwell. Read more about how to prevent germs from spreading.
Wash fabrics that may be contaminated with bacteria or viruses at 60C (140F) and with a bleach-based laundry product. Read more about keeping clothes clean in Can clothes and towels spread germs?
See lessCan clothes and towels spread germs?
InfoMed HEALTH
Yes, clothes and towels can spread germs. There are 3 main ways that germs are spread by clothes and towels: when towels or bedlinen are used by more than 1 person germs can spread between them when someone handles dirty laundry they can spread germs onto their hands when clothes are washed, germs cRead more
Yes, clothes and towels can spread germs.
There are 3 main ways that germs are spread by clothes and towels:
How do germs get onto clothes and towels?
Germs on clothes and towels can come from our own body. We all have bacteria on the surface of our skin, in our noses and in our gut. These are often harmless, but some can cause infection, particularly in people with skin problems or wounds.
Most germs cannot penetrate through normal skin but may harmlessly colonise it. Washing your hands regularly is likely to be significantly more important than clothes washing at preventing most infections.
Underwear is more likely to have germs on it than outer clothing like jumpers or trousers. Underwear may contain germs from traces of faeces (poo) and from genital infections, such as thrush.
However, you can also pick up germs on your outer clothes, for example if you nurse someone with an illness or clean up vomit. Germs can also get onto outer clothing if you handle contaminated food or brush against a soiled object.
Most germs can survive on fabrics for some time. Read more about how long bacteria and viruses live outside the body.
How to stop clothes spreading germs
Normal washing of clothes will reduce the risk of germs being transmitted. In certain situations clothes should be washed at higher than normal temperatures and with a bleach-based product to minimise the transmission risk as much as possible.
Washing high-risk items
If the items you are washing are likely to cause illness (high risk), they should be washed at 60C with a bleach-based product. Items are likely to cause illness if you have someone in your home who has an infectious illness. The following items are also high risk:
Always remove any vomit or poo from clothing before washing and flush it down the toilet. Heavily soiled items and items used in food preparation should be washed separately from other items.
You can protect yourself from infection by wearing gloves when handling high-risk laundry and always washing your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Washing everyday items
If you are washing lightly soiled everyday items that are not likely to cause illness, a normal wash with a detergent will be very effective at reducing the risk of transmitting any infection.
- keep and wash heavily soiled clothes separately from other items
- wash high-risk items separately from other items
- wash your hands after handling unwashed clothes
See lessHow long is someone infectious after a viral infection?
InfoMed HEALTH
The length of time you're infectious for after having a viral infection depends on the type of virus involved. The infectious period often begins before you start to feel unwell or notice a rash. Bronchitis The length of time that bronchitis is infectious varies, depending on its cause. In most caseRead more
The length of time you’re infectious for after having a viral infection depends on the type of virus involved.
The infectious period often begins before you start to feel unwell or notice a rash.
Bronchitis
The length of time that bronchitis is infectious varies, depending on its cause.
In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu, and you’re likely to be infectious as long as you have cold or flu symptoms.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is infectious from 2 days before the spots appear to until they have crusted over, usually 5 days after they first appeared.
Common cold
The common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be infectious for around 2 weeks.
Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you’re most likely to spread the virus.
Flu
Flu is usually most infectious from the day your symptoms start and for a further 3 to 7 days.
Children and people with lowered immune systems may be infectious for a few days longer.
Glandular fever
Glandular fever isn’t particularly contagious and can usually only be spread through direct contact with saliva, which is why it’s sometimes called “the kissing disease”.
There’s no reason not to continue to go to school or work if you feel well enough.
Measles
Symptoms of measles appear around 10 days after you become infected.
Measles is most infectious after the first symptoms appear and before the rash develops.
First symptoms of measles include:
Around 2 to 4 days later, a red-brown spotty rash develops that normally fades after about a week.
Mumps
Mumps causes your salivary glands to swell. These glands are just below and in front of your ears.
Mumps is most infectious from a few days before your glands swell until a few days afterwards.
Rubella (german measles)
People with rubella should stay off school or work, and avoid contact with pregnant women where possible, for 6 days after the rash firsts develops.
Shingles
You can’t spread shingles to others. But people who haven’t had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox from you.
Shingles is infectious while the rash oozes fluid.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis itself isn’t contagious, but the viruses that cause it are. The length of time you’re infectious will depend on the virus.
See lessHow long will I be infectious after starting antibiotics?
InfoMed HEALTH
When a person is "infectious", it means they're able to pass their infection on to others. You're usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, although this time period can sometimes vary. For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longerRead more
When a person is “infectious”, it means they’re able to pass their infection on to others.
You’re usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, although this time period can sometimes vary.
For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longer to absorb them or if you’re taking other medication that interacts with the antibiotics.
Medical advice
Talk to your pharmacist or GP if you have any questions or concerns about your course of antibiotics.
It’s important to finish your course of antibiotics, even if you’re no longer infectious and feeling better.
Failing to finish the course may result in the infection returning.
See lessCan I get chickenpox more than once?
InfoMed HEALTH
Yes, it is possible to get chickenpox more than once, but this is extremely rare. Most people who have had chickenpox won't get it again because they're immune to it for life. However, some people who have had chickenpox will develop a related condition called shingles later on. This is caused by thRead more
Yes, it is possible to get chickenpox more than once, but this is extremely rare.
Most people who have had chickenpox won’t get it again because they’re immune to it for life.
However, some people who have had chickenpox will develop a related condition called shingles later on. This is caused by the chickenpox virus being reactivated, usually several decades later.
You can get chickenpox from someone who’s got shingles.
You can’t get shingles from someone who’s got chickenpox.
See lessHow should I collect and store a poo (stool) sample?
InfoMed HEALTH
You should: collect your poo (stool) sample in a completely clean (sterile) container store the container in a fridge in a sealed plastic bag if you can't hand it in straight away Collecting a stool sample Your GP or another healthcare professional, such as a nurse, should explain how to collect theRead more
You should:
Collecting a stool sample
Your GP or another healthcare professional, such as a nurse, should explain how to collect the sample. It should be collected in a clean, dry screw-top container.
Your doctor or a member of staff at the hospital will give you a plastic (specimen) container to use, although you can use any clean container as long as you can seal it.
Try not to collect pee (urine) or water from the toilet along with the poo, but don’t worry if you do. If you need to pee, do this first before collecting the poo.
To collect the sample:
Follow any other instructions your doctor has given you.
Storing a stool sample
Your sample of poo must be fresh – if it is not, the bacteria in it can multiply. This means the levels of bacteria in the stool sample won’t be the same as the levels of bacteria in your digestive system. If the levels of bacteria don’t match, the test results may not be accurate.
Your sample should be handed in as soon as possible, as sometimes it can’t be analysed after being refrigerated – your doctor will tell you if this is the case.
If you can’t hand your sample in immediately, find out how long it can be kept in the fridge. Your GP or the healthcare professional who requested the test will be able to tell you. If you can store it in the fridge, put the container in a sealed plastic bag first.
What are stool samples used for?
Your GP or another healthcare professional may ask you for a stool sample to help them diagnose or rule out a particular health condition.
Poo contains bacteria and other substances that are in the digestive system.
By testing the levels of these substances and bacteria in your poo, it’s possible to work out what’s happening in your digestive system.
See lessHow should I collect and store a pee (urine) sample?
InfoMed HEALTH
You should: collect your pee (urine) sample in a completely clean (sterile) container store it in a fridge in a sealed plastic bag if you can't hand it in straight away Collecting a urine sample Your doctor or another healthcare professional should give you a container and explain how you should colRead more
You should:
Collecting a urine sample
Your doctor or another healthcare professional should give you a container and explain how you should collect the urine sample.
You can collect a urine sample at any time of day, unless your GP or practice nurse advises you otherwise.
The types of urine sample you might be asked for include a random specimen, first morning specimen or timed collection.
To collect a urine sample you should:
Follow any other instructions your doctor has given you.
What is a mid-stream urine sample?
A mid-stream urine sample means you don’t collect the first or last part of urine that comes out. This reduces the risk of the sample being contaminated with bacteria from:
Storing a urine sample
If you can’t hand your urine sample in within 1 hour, you should put the container in a sealed plastic bag then store it in the fridge at around 4C. Do not keep it for longer than 24 hours.
The bacteria in the urine sample can multiply if it is not kept in a fridge. If this happens, it could affect the test results.
What urine samples are used for?
Your GP or another healthcare professional may ask for a urine sample to help them diagnose or rule out certain health conditions.
Urine contains waste products that are filtered out of the body. If the sample contains anything unusual, it may indicate an underlying health problem.
Urine tests are most commonly done to check:
- for infections – such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia in men
- if you are passing any protein in your urine as a result of kidney damage – this is known as an ACR test
See lessCan a hospital patient with MRSA infection have visitors?
InfoMed HEALTH
Yes. If you're in hospital with an MRSA infection, you can still have visitors. However, it's a good idea to warn vulnerable people at risk of MRSA, so they can take special precautions. Visitors at risk of MRSA MRSA does not usually affect healthy people, including pregnant women, children and babiRead more
Yes. If you’re in hospital with an MRSA infection, you can still have visitors. However, it’s a good idea to warn vulnerable people at risk of MRSA, so they can take special precautions.
Visitors at risk of MRSA
MRSA does not usually affect healthy people, including pregnant women, children and babies.
Some visitors, however, are more at risk of MRSA. This includes people with:
Read more about the people most at risk from MRSA infection.
How is MRSA spread?
If you have MRSA, it can be spread to a visitor if you have contact with their skin, especially if it’s sore or broken, or if they handle personal items you have used, such as towels, bandages or razors. Visitors can also catch MRSA from contaminated surfaces or hospital devices or items.
Read more about how MRSA is spread.
How to stop visitors catching MRSA
Visitors can reduce the risk of catching MRSA from a hospital patient they are visiting (and the other way around) by:
Remind your visitors to clean their hands with soap and water or alcohol gel. Alcohol gel or hand rub dispensers are often placed near hospital beds and at the entrances to wards and bays or near lifts. Visitors can pick up organisms from the environment around you without even touching you.
If visitors have breaks in their skin, such as a sore or cut, they should keep them covered with a dressing to limit the risk of the MRSA getting into their body.
Read more about preventing the spread of MRSA.
Get advice before visiting other hospital patients
If you have an MRSA infection, get advice from hospital staff before visiting other patients in the hospital.
See lessIs pneumonia contagious?
InfoMed HEALTH
Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. It's usually caused by an infection, most commonly bacteria and viruses, which are both contagious. Catching pneumonia The germs that can cause pneumonia are usually breathed in. People often have small amounts of germs in theiRead more
Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. It’s usually caused by an infection, most commonly bacteria and viruses, which are both contagious.
Catching pneumonia
The germs that can cause pneumonia are usually breathed in. People often have small amounts of germs in their nose and throat that can be passed on through:
Preventing the spread of pneumonia
You can help prevent the spread of a pneumonia by taking some simple hygiene precautions.
These include:
Vaccination
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia.
Vaccination is recommended for:
Find out more about who should have the pneumococcal vaccine.
The pneumococcal vaccine is usually given as part of the routine NHS child vaccination schedule. If you’re unsure if you or your child has been given the vaccine, check with your GP.
See lessWhat infections can used needles or sharps pass on?
InfoMed HEALTH
Infections that used needles and sharps can pass on to other people include: hepatitis B hepatitis C HIV Although rare, there's also a small risk of other infections being transmitted through contaminated blood, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). For immediate first aid adviRead more
Infections that used needles and sharps can pass on to other people include:
Although rare, there’s also a small risk of other infections being transmitted through contaminated blood, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
For immediate first aid advice if you have injured yourself, see What should I do if I injure myself with a used needle?
Needles and sharps
Once someone has used a needle, viruses in their blood may contaminate it. This includes needles used to inject illegal drugs.
Sharps can include other medical supplies, such as syringes, scalpels and lancets, and glass from broken equipment. Blood can also contaminate these.
Injuries from needles used in medical procedures are sometimes called needle-stick or sharps injuries.
People at increased risk
Some people have an increased risk of needle-stick injuries as a result of their job.
These include:
If you injure yourself with a used needle at work, report the incident to your supervisor or manager immediately. There may be procedures in place you need to follow.
If you’re at increased risk of needle-stick injuries because of your job, you may also need to take other preventative measures. For example, you may need to have a hepatitis B vaccination.
Support after an injury
If you have received treatment for a needle-stick injury, you may need some support. For example, counselling may help with any stress the injury has caused. Your employer’s occupational health service can advise you on sick leave.
Read the answers to more questions about accidents, first aid and treatments.
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