Should I throw out my contacts?

autumn1971 · 3rd May 2007, 09:34 PM

I have a minor infection of some kind (sore throat, some colorful mucous), and was told by my mother, a former R.N., to be sure to get a new toothbrush after the illness passed. That seemed kind of obvious to me at first, but got me to thinking, shouldn't an ill person throw out their toothbrush after every use while they are sick to prevent re-innoculation, or are we assuming that during the stage of actively fighting the infection, any residual germs on the toothbrush aren't going to make a difference, but if, in the near future, those germs found a person in a compromised state that re-infection could occur?

My main question is, what about extended wear contact lenses? I just put in a new pair, and am wondering if I should throw them out after I get better.

My guess is that there is not any infectious agent present in eye-goo in any great quantity, and the nightly rinsing and storing should help, but at least one doctor that I know of thinks that HIV can be transmitted through tears, and his lunatic ramblings have me wondering about common infections like the flu or strep throat (which I don't seem to have).

Ceritus · 3rd May 2007, 10:50 PM

Would the virus survive on a tooth brush?

Some people like weight training others like running and sports. I personally like working out my immune system. So tooth brushes and the like I use for years! I have never once had a cavity either!

autumn1971 · 3rd May 2007, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by Ceritus

Would the virus survive on a tooth brush?

Some people like weight training others like running and sports. I personally like working out my immune system. So tooth brushes and the like I use for years! I have never once had a cavity either!

I would guess that your lack of cavities is, like mine, more a product of your genetics than a particular dental hygene regimen.
Don't your toothbrushes wear out after a couple of months? I find that after about ten weeks I am brushing my teeth with the plastic handle.

As to the ability of a particular pathogen to survive on a toothbrush, I ask the same question, and follow up by asking if the disposal of the toothbrush has any practical meaning vis-a-vis future contamination.

wilks · 4th May 2007, 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by autumn1971

As to the ability of a particular pathogen to survive on a toothbrush, I ask the same question, and follow up by asking if the disposal of the toothbrush has any practical meaning vis-a-vis future contamination.

If you have recovered from the infection then won't you have produced antibodies against that particular pathogen which will enable you to counter any re-infection?

Cuddles · 4th May 2007, 04:21 AM

I think it's pretty hard to get an infection from putting things in your mouth. Most things just don't survive being digested. If you just had a cold then I can't see any reason to throw out your toothbrush. Even for something like food poisoning the amounts are probably far too small to worry about and I've certainly never heard of anyone getting infected by a toothbrush. Contact lenses I'm not so sure about. It would certainly be possible to get an eye infection from a contaminated one, but most illnesses won't put anything nasty in your eye. If you get an actual eye infection I think not reusing contacts would be a good idea, but if you have an eye infection you're unlikely to wear contacts anyway.

Also, as Wilks says, if you have recovered from an infection that means your immune system has beaten off a major, established bunch of germs. Sticking a couple extra in your mouth is not going to make a big difference after that. It's like beating off a massive barbarian invasion and then worrying about a couple of deserters hiding in a basement.

3rd May 2007, 09:34 PM	#1
autumn1971 Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,456	Should I throw out my contacts? I have a minor infection of some kind (sore throat, some colorful mucous), and was told by my mother, a former R.N., to be sure to get a new toothbrush after the illness passed. That seemed kind of obvious to me at first, but got me to thinking, shouldn't an ill person throw out their toothbrush after every use while they are sick to prevent re-innoculation, or are we assuming that during the stage of actively fighting the infection, any residual germs on the toothbrush aren't going to make a difference, but if, in the near future, those germs found a person in a compromised state that re-infection could occur? My main question is, what about extended wear contact lenses? I just put in a new pair, and am wondering if I should throw them out after I get better. My guess is that there is not any infectious agent present in eye-goo in any great quantity, and the nightly rinsing and storing should help, but at least one doctor that I know of thinks that HIV can be transmitted through tears, and his lunatic ramblings have me wondering about common infections like the flu or strep throat (which I don't seem to have).
	__________________ 'A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggardly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking knave, a whoreson, glass-gazing, superservicable, finical rogue;... the son and heir of a mongral bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition."' -The Bard

3rd May 2007, 11:03 PM	#3
autumn1971 Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,456	Originally Posted by Ceritus Would the virus survive on a tooth brush? Some people like weight training others like running and sports. I personally like working out my immune system. So tooth brushes and the like I use for years! I have never once had a cavity either! I would guess that your lack of cavities is, like mine, more a product of your genetics than a particular dental hygene regimen. Don't your toothbrushes wear out after a couple of months? I find that after about ten weeks I am brushing my teeth with the plastic handle. As to the ability of a particular pathogen to survive on a toothbrush, I ask the same question, and follow up by asking if the disposal of the toothbrush has any practical meaning vis-a-vis future contamination.
	__________________ 'A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggardly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking knave, a whoreson, glass-gazing, superservicable, finical rogue;... the son and heir of a mongral bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition."' -The Bard

4th May 2007, 01:36 AM	#4
wilks Scholar Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 76	Originally Posted by autumn1971 As to the ability of a particular pathogen to survive on a toothbrush, I ask the same question, and follow up by asking if the disposal of the toothbrush has any practical meaning vis-a-vis future contamination. If you have recovered from the infection then won't you have produced antibodies against that particular pathogen which will enable you to counter any re-infection?
wilks Scholar Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 76

4th May 2007, 04:21 AM	#5
Cuddles Decoy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A magical land full of pink fluffy sheeps and bunnies Posts: 16,597	I think it's pretty hard to get an infection from putting things in your mouth. Most things just don't survive being digested. If you just had a cold then I can't see any reason to throw out your toothbrush. Even for something like food poisoning the amounts are probably far too small to worry about and I've certainly never heard of anyone getting infected by a toothbrush. Contact lenses I'm not so sure about. It would certainly be possible to get an eye infection from a contaminated one, but most illnesses won't put anything nasty in your eye. If you get an actual eye infection I think not reusing contacts would be a good idea, but if you have an eye infection you're unlikely to wear contacts anyway. Also, as Wilks says, if you have recovered from an infection that means your immune system has beaten off a major, established bunch of germs. Sticking a couple extra in your mouth is not going to make a big difference after that. It's like beating off a massive barbarian invasion and then worrying about a couple of deserters hiding in a basement.
	__________________ I am not a little teapot.

3rd May 2007, 10:50 PM	#2
Ceritus Suspended Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: I am the mind that you call home. Posts: 650	Would the virus survive on a tooth brush? Some people like weight training others like running and sports. I personally like working out my immune system. So tooth brushes and the like I use for years! I have never once had a cavity either!