Is it true that urine is sterile?

Question

And if this is the case, why do we wash our hands after going to the toilet?

Answer 1

what the h**l? that is disgusting!

Answer 2

yes the urine is sterile and thats why if there is any infection,the urine test is conducted to see whether it is contaminated with any organisms.

we wash our hands before going to toilet not to contaminate the urinating part.

Answer 3

"Is it neccessary for me to drink my own urine? no but its sterile and I like the taste"

    

          -Patches O'Houlihan

Answer 4

Yes, even if it is a waste matter from our bodies, it still is sterile.

Answer 5

Yes.

Answer 6

for the 1st 9 times  

Answer 7

Yes, apparently if you get lost in the dessert you can drink it to survive.(don't know if thats desert or dessert sorry)

Answer 8

Unless you have a bladder infection, urine is completely sterile.

You wash your hands because bacteria are most prevalent in moist areas of your body such as the pubic area.  You want to get rid of those germs, not the urine.

It's also simply a good way to get people to regularly wash their hands.

Answer 9

Fresh urine from a healthy person is sterile. Because of it's composition, urine quickly breaks down and then becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

Answer 10

The only two bodily fluids in the human body that are completely sterile if healthy are the blood and cerebral spinal fluid.  Urine is pretty clean, but is definitely NOT sterile.  

Note: Scientists have changed the classification due to the presence of Urea which is toxic.  A toxin negates the definition of sterile.

Answer 11

it is only sterile immeadiately leaving the body

Answer 12

Its disgusting but is known to help jellyfish stings o.o

Answer 13

yes, I wash my hair in it

Answer 14

urine from healthy kidneys is sterile, but when the kidneys/ureters/bladders aren't healthy, that is not the case. for example, if you had a bladder infection your urine wouldn't be sterile.

but more importantly, the skin around your urethral opening is not sterile, and often times when we urinate urine touches that area and gets contaminated. Thus washing your hands after going to the toilet is definitely still a good idea :)

Answer 15

Normally urine is sterile.  However, it depends on the medical health of the individual.  Any simple minor infection would cause the urine to become unsterile.

http://www.uhmc.sunysb.edu/internalmed/n...

You are told to wash your hands mostly because human f***s are far from sterile.  Human f***s can be potentially very hazardous.  So, since we don't tell everyone what we do when we go to the bathroom, it is safer just to go ahead and wash your hands.  Who knows, maybe someone might ask.