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The popular notion that urine is sterile is a myth, new research finds.
Yes, the myth that comes up every time someone pees in a pool (or drinking water reservoir) is actually false. In fact, bacteria do live in urine, Loyola University researchers reported this week at the general meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Boston.
I didn't think any medical person thought urine was sterile. I certainly didn't. Heck, almost nothing is sterile if it hasn't at least been heated to boiling.
I presumed my urine merely had nothing that wasn't already in my own bloodstream, meaning it wasn't infectious to me.
While it may have been sterile before it comes out of the bladder (not saying it is) -- it is definitely not sterile after passing out of a person having come in contact with the nether regions. It's great fertilizer for the lawn and garden though.
It does not appear that they showed all healthy urine is not sterile, just that some individuals may have organisms not previously looked for.
The people tested came from a clinic population, including some with abnormal bladder function, and they may not be representative of the entire population.
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