HomeAnswersMicrobiologyviable microbesCan viruses and bacteria be viable after 3 years?

Are there any common viruses or bacteria that would be viable after 3 years?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At August 8, 2015
Reviewed AtJanuary 23, 2019

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Under normal circumstances are there any common viruses or bacteria (harmful microorganisms in general) that would be viable after three years?

Answered by Dr. Purohit Manish

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It would have been better if your query had been clear about whether you meant the normal circumstances inside the human body or in the environmental condition.

Inside the human body, bacteria and viruses can survive for many years without causing any clinical disease in the host and such type of hosts are called as carriers. When favorable conditions develop, these microorganisms leads to development of clinical diseases.

Second about environmental condition, viruses multiply only inside living host and they cannot survive outside their host for such a long period of 3 years. The duration for inactivation of viruses in the environment is different for different viruses. About bacteria, many bacterial species can survive in the environment for a long period if they have favourable environment. It includes many non-pathogenic and some pathogenic bacteria and also some opportunistic bacteria.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Purohit Manish
Dr. Purohit Manish

Microbiology

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