26-year-old female, non-smoker, no meds, in good health. I’m writing this for my family. My aunt moved in with us lately and has gone more than 13 days without a shower or a change of clothes. She is clearly dirty and has a powerful odor, yet strangely, she uses a fresh paper towel to touch everything, acting as though we are the ones who are dirty. While it’s getting unpleasant, I’m specifically curious if this situation presents a real health threat to the rest of us—such as the transmission of bacteria, fungi, or smells that might stick to communal furniture and surfaces. My main question is: When does such extended lack of hygiene turn into a medical issue for others in the home? Is there any medical advice or documented evidence regarding these types of scenarios? Thank you.
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I’m not aware of any specific studies on this, though I might be mistaken. In our psych ward, we see patients who haven’t bathed in months. The staff and other patients don’t seem to fall ill more frequently because of them, though we do keep shared spaces disinfected quite often.
This seems like a major mental health emergency. You should really attempt to get her a professional evaluation. As long as she doesn’t have an active infection, the danger to you and your relatives is minimal—though it’s probably a good idea to shower and change your own clothes once you manage to get her to the hospital.