Diane,
I remember as a med student an infectious disease specialist telling me that
stool is 85% bacteria. This was an adult ID specialist so I
don't know if that would apply to an exclusively BF baby.
The other issue is are the bacteria pathogenic?
People do get exposed to stool of others as evidenced
by diseases transmitted by fecal oral route such as rotavirus. (Collective
gag as
we realize we ingested other peoples' stool) This is also one
way how oral polio vaccine helped create heard immunity.
My guess is if your changing the diapers you've already
been exposed to some degree.
Awhile ago the Peds Infectious Disease Journal had an
article "Diarrhea, whose feces matter". It talked of a place in
Peru without rainfall. What I remember from it is 1. children are
not at risk from their own stool. 2. Dog feces is usually not hazardous once
dried and 3. I'm glad I live in a 1st world
country.
-Rob



Rob Cordes, DO, FAAP, FACOP
Wilkes Barre, PA
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