Can I transmit the bacteria causing my urinary tract infection to my adult male relative with a slow urinary stream, and could he transmit his bacteria back to me?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 8, 2026View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Transmisión de Bacterias en Infecciones del Tracto Urinario

No, es extremadamente improbable que puedas transmitir las bacterias de tu infección urinaria a tu familiar masculino adulto, ni que él te transmita bacterias a ti, ya que las infecciones del tracto urinario son causadas por la flora endógena de cada persona y no se transmiten de persona a persona en circunstancias normales.

Origen de las Bacterias en las ITU

Las infecciones del tracto urinario son típicamente monoinfecciones causadas por la microflora endógena de cada individuo 1. Esto significa que:

  • Las bacterias provienen del propio tracto gastrointestinal y periuretral de la persona infectada, no de fuentes externas 2
  • E. coli domina en 80-90% de las infecciones no complicadas, pero estas cepas son específicas de cada persona 2
  • Las bacterias que causan ITU en mujeres y hombres son del mismo espectro de uropatógenos, pero cada persona las adquiere de su propia flora 3

Por Qué No Hay Transmisión Entre Personas

Las ITU no son infecciones de transmisión sexual ni contagiosas entre contactos domésticos por las siguientes razones:

  • Las bacterias necesitan colonizar el epitelio urinario mediante factores de virulencia específicos (fimbrias/pili) que permiten adherencia a células uroepiteliales 2
  • La infección requiere que las bacterias asciendan desde la uretra hasta la vejiga, un proceso que depende de la anatomía y flora individual 4
  • No existe evidencia en las guías clínicas de transmisión persona-a-persona de bacterias causantes de ITU en contextos no sexuales 5

Excepción Importante: Uretritis de Transmisión Sexual

La única situación donde existe transmisión de bacterias urogenitales es en uretritis de transmisión sexual, que es completamente diferente a una ITU:

  • Las infecciones uretrales se transmiten comúnmente por contacto sexual y deben diferenciarse de otras infecciones del tracto urinario inferior 5
  • Los patógenos incluyen Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, y Trichomonas vaginalis 5
  • En estos casos, es crucial evaluar y tratar a todas las parejas sexuales en riesgo 5

Situación de Tu Familiar con Flujo Urinario Lento

El flujo urinario lento en hombres adultos sugiere:

  • Probable obstrucción prostática o disfunción miccional asociada con hipertrofia prostática 5
  • Si tiene bacteriuria, esta sería de su propia flora endógena, no transmitida por ti 5
  • La bacteriuria asintomática en hombres no requiere tratamiento y no representa riesgo de transmisión 5, 6

En resumen: Pueden convivir normalmente sin riesgo de transmisión de bacterias urinarias entre ustedes, ya que cada persona desarrolla ITU por su propia flora bacteriana.

References

Research

Diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection.

Infectious disease clinics of North America, 1997

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Diagnostic Approach to Urinary Retention in Young Males

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

Related Questions

What alternative antibiotic can be used for a 19-year-old female with a urinary tract infection (UTI) who is allergic to cephalosporin and Bactrim (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) and has not responded to Macrobid (nitrofurantoin)?
What is the best alternative antibiotic for a 25-year-old female with a new onset Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) that has not responded to cephalexin?
What is the management for a 2-year-old child with a first episode of Escherichia coli (E. coli) urinary tract infection (UTI) and mild hydronephrosis?
What are the treatment recommendations for a 39-year-old male with prostatitis and erectile dysfunction, presenting with occasional pelvic pain, frequency of urination, and slightly tender prostate?
What are the admitting orders for a 16-year-old male with a 4-day history of fever, epigastric pain, abdominal pain, increased frequency but reduced amount of urine, hematuria, and sore throat, diagnosed with urinary tract infection (UTI) with possible pyelonephritis?
What is the recommended diagnostic workup and multimodal treatment plan for Ewing sarcoma in children and adolescents (typically ages 10‑20) presenting in the diaphysis of long bones, pelvis, or chest wall?
In a patient with bronchiectasis, when should serum immunoglobulin quantification be performed and when is immunoglobulin replacement therapy indicated?
What pharmacologic agents can be used to increase sexual desire in an adult male with low libido after appropriate evaluation?
In an otherwise healthy adult with a simple lower‑lip abrasion, are systemic antibiotics indicated?
In a male patient with hemoglobin below 17 g/dL, can polycythemia vera still be considered and should a JAK2 exon 12 mutation test be performed?
Which artery is preferred for detecting fetal anemia in a pregnant patient?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.