In most homes, the whole family bathes with the same soap. So whether someone is sick or healthy, the same soap is used for everyone. Many people worry that by using the same soap, the infection can spread from one body to another. This is why some people don’t share their bath soap. According to health experts, there is concern that bacteria like coli, salmonella and shigella could thrive because of the soap we share when we bathe. But is there a fear of the disease spreading?
There is serious bacteria on a bar of soap
Serious bacteria remains on the bar soap. According to the “Indian Journal of Dental Research”, during the year 2006 April-June, 2 to 5 different types of bacteria accumulate on soap. According to a hospital study conducted by the American Journal of Infection Control in 2015, 62% of soaps were dirty. While 3 percent of liquid soaps were dirty. Bacteria hidden in soap spread from person to person.
According to health experts, bacteria that grow on soap include E.coli, Salmonella and Shigella bacteria which cause viruses like norovirus, rotavirus and staph. These bacteria and viruses also start spreading through injuries on the body or scratches on the skin. According to the researcher, bacteria grow on soap. But they spread disease from one body to another. According to the New York Times, according to a report published in 1965, he soiled his hands with approximately 5 billion bacteria as part of an experiment. This bacteria causes diseases like staph and E. coli. After that, the scientist took a bar of soap in his hands, thanks to which it spread from one person to another.
How do bacteria get on soap?
According to health experts, E.coli, Salmonella and Shigella bacteria could be present on the soap. Apart from this, viruses like norovirus, rotavirus and staph can also be present on the soap. If someone is injured or scratched, bacteria from using one soap can spread to another. In such a situation, one should think twice before using soap.
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Can soap spread disease?
Even though bacteria is present on soap, researchers have not yet determined whether the disease is spread by soap in general or not. A study was conducted in 1965 in which hands full of bacteria were washed with soap, then another person washed their hands with the same soap, but the first person’s bacteria did not reach them . So soap cannot spread disease.
Risk of infection from soap
Even if soap seems safe to use, an infection can spread if the same soap is used by everyone. A 2008 study in the United States found that an infection called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be spread through soap. This is an antibiotic-resistant staph infection. This is why it is not recommended to use just one soap.
Disclaimer: Some information in news stories is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you should consult the relevant expert.
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