Is it Possible to Get Sick from Public Restrooms?
Have you ever walked into a public restroom and felt a wave of disgust? Maybe there's urine on the seat, or it just smells bad. You might go as far as using your elbow to open the stall door, flushing with your foot, or covering the seat in toilet paper before sitting down. But is it actually possible to get sick from using a public toilet? Here's what health experts have to say.
Low Risk of Catching Diseases
While it's technically possible to catch diseases from a toilet seat, the odds are extremely low. Many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), for example, require direct contact and exchange of body fluids to spread. The organisms that cause these diseases usually can't survive long on a cold, hard surface like a toilet seat. If a toilet is obviously dirty, it's a good idea to avoid it, but you shouldn't lose sleep over the risk of catching something.
It's also unlikely that you'll catch a bloodborne disease from a toilet seat. You'd probably notice if there was blood on the seat, and even if you didn't, these diseases typically require more direct means of transmission. Similarly, you probably won't catch a urinary tract infection (UTI) from a toilet seat. It's far more likely to get a UTI from improper personal hygiene than from a public restroom.
Exceptions to the Rule
Some sexually transmitted diseases can survive longer on surfaces than others. Human papilloma viruses (HPV), for example, can live for up to a week on surfaces. These viruses can only infect you if they enter your body through a break in the skin, such as a wound or rash. Even so, it's typically transmitted through sexual contact.
In theory, someone with genital herpes could shed the virus onto a toilet seat and the next person could be at risk if they have broken skin or a weakened immune system. However, this is unlikely.
Is It Better to Cover the Seat or Squat?
Many people think covering the toilet seat with paper or using a seat cover is the cleanest way to use a public restroom. However, these materials are porous and can't stop germs from getting through. Squatting can actually cause more harm than good because it can strain your pelvic muscles and prevent your bladder from emptying fully, which can lead to a UTI.
The Real Problem
The real risk of catching a disease in a public restroom isn't from the toilet seat. It's from your hands touching the seat and then touching your face or mouth. Fecal matter can contain harmful pathogens, which can cause illness when ingested.
One study found that people are most likely to get infected by touching contaminated surfaces in a bathroom. However, the actual risk of getting sick this way is probably low. Most public restrooms are cleaned several times a day, while most home bathrooms are only cleaned once a week.
The 'Toilet Sneeze'
There's another way to get sick in a bathroom that doesn't involve touching anything. When you flush the toilet, tiny droplets can spray into the air and land on surfaces, including your skin. One solution to this problem is to flush and then immediately leave the stall. You could also wait a few minutes before entering a stall that someone else just used, although this might not always be practical.
Another thing to avoid is using your phone in the bathroom. Your phone can pick up germs from the surfaces it touches, and then you can pick up those germs when you touch your phone.
Prevention Is Key
The best way to avoid getting sick from a public restroom is to wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet. It's also a good idea to use hand sanitizer in addition to washing your hands. The combination of handwashing and hand sanitizer is significantly more effective than either one alone.
So, while it's possible to get sick from a public restroom, the risk is probably lower than you think. Just remember to wash your hands and avoid touching your face, and you should be fine.