Doctor reveals what diseases you can catch from a public toilet and how to avoid them
The dreaded public toilet visit is often an unavoidable part of life and one that can take you to the less glamorous parts of your community.
Whether it’s rushing home early, holding on for dear life or avoiding contact with the weathered toilet seat, community bathrooms are often associated with catching some sort of horrible disease.
And while it may be common practice for some, a UK National Health Service physician has outlined exactly what you can do to reduce your risk of catching any disease.
NHS physician Dr Preethi Daniel said it is a common myth that people can catch “sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis” in a public toilet.
While cities in California are currently battling a toilet-related hepatitis outbreak, Dr Daniel said the chances of picking up a disease inside a public toilet is incredibly unlikely.
However she said it is possible that “bugs such as E-coli or Salmonella are contractible in a public toilet”.
“If you’re in the wrong place (public toilet) at the right time (when the toilet seat is contaminated with germs) it could be a possibility,” she wrote for the Daily Mail.
For those still nervous and wanting to eliminate any risk of bacterial infection, she offered three simple tips.
1) Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet
2) Carry a travel size antibacterial hand sanitizer for extra protection
3) Cover the toilet seat with toilet paper or use antibacterial wipes
