Expert: John Thai, MD - 9/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I am 18 years old and I have anxiety. My question may be silly, but it would help if it was answered. Do STDs live long enough outside the body to "catch" an STD of a surface such tables, counters, fabrics, water, etc.? How fast do STDs die when they exit the body in bodily fluids?

ANSWER: Hi John,

STD is a classification of many types of infections, from viral to fungal infections. Practically all sexually transmittable viruses and bacteria die within an hour outside of the body. Fungal infections tend to last a bit longer if placed in a moist environment.

If you are worried about HIV, the virus dies within 30 minutes when exposed to air... meaning once the blood droplets containing the virus is exposed outside of the body, it dies. The only way it survives is if a scientist or physician cultures the virus in specialized equipment to help keep it alive.

Regards,

John T, MD

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I heard the STD virus starts to die when it leaves the body, and that in order to catch an STD by contact with almost immediatlly after it comes out. Is that true?


Answer
All blood-borne viruses will die within an hour once it leaves the body. It needs to be expose to a new host's blood system immediately to stay alive. A few, but not all, viruses need a large number in order to weaken an immune system.

Regards,

John T, MD