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The “pink mold” you may find in your shower actually isn’t mold, but a very common strain of airborne bacteria that’s found throughout the world. The bacteria, Serratia marcescens, cause that pink or even red slime you might find in your shower, toilet bowl, or around other water fixtures.
How do I get rid of pink mold in my shower?
Shower Walls & Doors Create a cleaning paste with 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Using a soft bristle brush, apply paste to the bacteria and scrub away the pink film. Rinse. Once the pink is gone, you’ll need to disinfect the area.
Is pink mold harmful?
What is pink mold? It’s usually not as hazardous to your health as black mold and other fungi, but there are some pink mold dangers, such as urinary tract infections, intestinal problems and in rare cases pneumonia. You’ll definitely want to rid your bathroom of the pink mold and take steps to keep it from coming back.
How do you prevent pink bacteria in the shower?
Tips to Prevent the Growth of Pink Mold Encourage hand-washing, especially after using the bathroom, to prevent the transfer of Serratia marcescens bacteria to other surfaces. Keep surfaces dry. Close and straighten shower curtains so they will dry more quickly. Clean away soap scum at least weekly.
Does bleach get rid of pink mold?
Pink mold is relatively easy to remove with cleaners you already have or with household supplies. Cleaners with chlorine bleach in them can help remove the pink stuff in the shower. Spray on the cleaner and allow it to sit for a while.
Is Serratia marcescens harmful?
Today, Serratia marcescens is considered a harmful human pathogen which has been known to cause urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia. Serratia bacteria also have many antibiotic resistance properties which may become important if the incidence of Serratia infections dramatically increases.
What does pink mold indicate?
Pink mold can cause respiratory infections. Additionally, it causes gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections. More often than not, when a pink appearance is present on food, it isn’t mold at all. Instead, it is bacteria growing and invading your food.
Can Serratia marcescens make you sick?
More recently, Serratia marcescens has been found to be pathogenic to a small percentage of people, having been identified as a cause of urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia in hospital environments.
How do you get rid of Serratia marcescens in the shower?
Throw shower curtains in the washing machine to sanitize. Running your pink-tinged curtain through the washing machine on a gentle wash cycle with warm water effectively removes Serratia marcescens bacteria and any associated stains.
Can Serratia marcescens be cured?
Abstract. An old man receiving peritoneal dialysis was diagnosed with Serratia marcescens peritonitis, a rare case with poor prognosis. Powerful antibiotics based on culture results and enough duration cured the case successfully despite its high virulence.
How long does it take for pink mold to grow?
Since mold thrives in moist, wet conditions, it can develop around plumbing, in walls, and underneath carpet due to a water leak. Mold is found everywhere. But for it to grow, mold spores (which circulate in the air) must come in contact with a moist surface. In which case, mold can start to grow within 24 to 48 hours.
Why is my shower curtain pink?
This pink mold you’ve found growing on your shower curtain, or in your toilet is not actually mold at all; in fact, it’s a Gram-negative bacteria that is scientifically known as Serratia marcescens. The pink colour is from a pigment (prodigiosin) produced by Serratia marcescens under the right growing conditions.
How do you clean grout in shower pink?
Tiles & grout Use an old toothbrush to scrub it into the grout. From bathroom tiles to flooring, use The Pink Stuff to achieve amazing results. Apply to the tiles and use an old toothbrush to work it into the grout. It will remove dark staining, mould, and discolouration.
What happens if Serratia marcescens is left untreated?
marcescens has been shown to cause a wide range of infectious diseases, including urinary, respiratory, and biliary tract infections, peritonitis, wound infections, and intravenous catheter-related infections, which can also lead to life-threatening bacteremia.
How do you get a Serratia infection?
The major factors that are involved in the development of the Serratia infection include contamination of the respiratory equipment and poor catheterization techniques. Most of the outbreaks have been reported from the paediatrics ward.
Is Serratia contagious?
Nosocomial transmission may occur by hand contact from hospital personnel and other patients. Fomites may also spread Serratia. INCUBATION PERIOD: Unknown. COMMUNICABILITY: Serratia may be directly transmitted from person-to-person, but rates are unknown 3.
How is Serratia marcescens transmitted?
marcescens infections are known to be transmitted through hand-to-hand contact by medical personnel. In this case, solutions used for medical purposes, catheterizations, and needle punctures can be contaminated and infect patients(31). Patients may also be infected with S.
How do I know if I have Serratia marcescens?
Symptoms may include fever, frequent urination, dysuria, pyuria, or pain upon urination. In 90% of cases, patients have a history of recent surgery or instrumentation of the urinary tract.
How long does Serratia marcescens last?
Table 1 Type of bacterium Duration of persistence (range) Reference(s) Serratia marcescens 3 days – 2 months; on dry floor: 5 weeks [12, 90] Shigella spp. 2 days – 5 months [90, 106, 107] Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA 7 days – 7 months [9, 10, 16, 52, 99, 108] Streptococcus pneumoniae 1 – 20 days [90].
Can Serratia cause UTI?
Approximately 30-50% of patients with Serratia urinary tract infections are asymptomatic. Symptoms may include fever, frequent urination, dysuria, pyuria, or pain upon urination. In 90% of cases, patients have a history of recent surgery or instrumentation of the urinary tract.
