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Is It Possible To Contract An Infection If I Touch My Tongue After Tying My Show Laces?
Posted on
Thu, 19 Jul 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 19 Jul 2018
Answered on
Wed, 3 Aug 2022
Last reviewed on
Question : After tying my shoe laces this morning, I went on to work, but on the way trying to remove a hair from my lips, I accidentally touched the tip of my tongue. I am freaking out, because of the shoe laces. Since I had C Diff infection 2 and a half years ago, I developed severe fear of germs, to the point of OCD. I had my bottle of water with me and I immediately rinsed and spit, and later at work rinsed with Peroxide mouthwash. Please tell me that nothing can happen to me like this- I am thinking if the infections were to happen like this, everyone would be sick all the time, right? But my anxiety over this is horrible. Thank you in advance
Brief Answer:
as stated, infections would be far more common
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As you stated, if infections occurred in this way then they would be far more common, especially in children who commonly go from playing and contact with objects outside to eating (their immune system is not as strong as an adults either so they would be more prone).
C diff most commonly occurs in persons who are taking antibiotics though it can occur in other settings as well.
Our bodies can fight off exposure to small sources of contamination, our immune system is capable of defending against these small accidental exposures.
If it wasn't a large segment of the population would be overwhelmed with different types of infection
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions.
Regards
as stated, infections would be far more common
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As you stated, if infections occurred in this way then they would be far more common, especially in children who commonly go from playing and contact with objects outside to eating (their immune system is not as strong as an adults either so they would be more prone).
C diff most commonly occurs in persons who are taking antibiotics though it can occur in other settings as well.
Our bodies can fight off exposure to small sources of contamination, our immune system is capable of defending against these small accidental exposures.
If it wasn't a large segment of the population would be overwhelmed with different types of infection
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Gibson, should I just brush this thought off? I should not be worried? Please let me know, if this happened to you, would you forget about it immediately? Thank you
Brief Answer:
would not worry about it
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There are kids that drop food on the ground and pick it up based on a five second rule, if only there for a few seconds, then should be fine.
Touching your tongue with your finger that had been in contact with a shoe lace would not cause any problems.
Regards
would not worry about it
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There are kids that drop food on the ground and pick it up based on a five second rule, if only there for a few seconds, then should be fine.
Touching your tongue with your finger that had been in contact with a shoe lace would not cause any problems.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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