What can you get infected in a public toilet? In theory, many diseases, because there are lots of germs in the public restroom. However, contrary to popular belief, their greatest source is not the toilet seat that so many defend themselves against. A much greater risk to he alth is another place in the toilet, which is also considered hygienic by most people.

What can you get infected in a public toilet?In theory, many diseases, because millions of germs attack the public toilet every day. It is commonly believed that most of them are on the toilet seat, which is why some people who use the toilet in public places - work, restaurants, hotels or gas stations - cover it with thick layers of paper or make acrobatic figures over it - everything as long as they do not touch the seat. Meanwhile, it is one of the smallest dangers in the toilet. It is a much larger place that many consider hygienic.

What germs are in the public restroom?

Scientists examined what pathogens can be found in the toilet. Among them, one of the most dangerous is the bacterium E. coli, i.e. the colon, which causes many diseases, from food poisoning, through urinary tract infection, to peritonitis and sepsis.

Another dangerous pathogen that occurs in the toilet is the hepatitis A virus. rotaviruses (they are dangerous especially for children and infants), streptococci, staphylococci (they often attack the respiratory system), influenza viruses,Shigella(which causes bacterial dysentery),Salmonella (can cause typhoid, enteritis and colitis), and even pathogens responsible for venereal diseases, such as gonorrhea.

Even 70 percent people do not wash their hands after leaving the toilet

Many people say that they wash their hands after using the toilet. However, according to scientists, as many as 70 percent of them give up this activity. people. In addition, some people who wash their hands after leaving the toilet do it properly. And this is a simple path to infection.

Source: lifestyle.newseria.pl

A hand dryer is more dangerous than the toilet seat

It is commonly believed that the biggest source of germs in the toilet is the toilet seat,hence it causes general repugnance. Meanwhile, it does not pose such a great threat.

According to experts, infection as a result of sitting on a toilet seat is theoretically possible, but in practice it is unlikely. In the medical literature, there is only one case of infection by this route - gonorrhea (in Russia).

However, it should be clarified at this point that infection with sexually transmitted diseases, e.g. gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, mycosis or chlamydiosis, by sitting directly on a toilet seat in a public toilet, in principle does not threaten us, because the pathogens responsible for them die quickly outside of its natural environment. Besides, the percentage of people infected with them is not that high.

You have to be extremely unlucky to get the infection this way. This was what the patient from Russia had, because his case is isolated. So it can be considered safe to sit on the toilet seat in a public restroom.

  • 5 places with more fecal bacteria than in the toilet. You come into contact with them every day!

The aerosol containing bacteria that shoots out of the toilet when flushing the water is much more dangerous. Scientific research shows that when the flush is pressed, microorganisms are thrown from the toilet to a distance of 2 meters (even when the flap is closed). As a consequence, in a short time everything around is overrun by pathogenic microorganisms.

Handles and flush plates are also a potential source of infection, so always wash your hands after using the toilet. It is not without reason that most of the diseases caused by the above-mentioned germs are called "dirty hands" diseases. However, this procedure may not protect against bacteria, if we decide to dry our hands with a dedicated dryer. According to scientists, she is the man's worst enemy in the toilet.

How does this seemingly hygienic device endanger our he alth? According to Dr. Keith Redway, a microbiologist at the University of Westminster, there is heat in the dryer, which is ideal for the growth of pathogens. They settle on our hands when they are thrown by the dryer along with a blast of hot air.

Although devices equipped with filters that stop microbes are already manufactured, they are rare in public toilets. Therefore, it is better to dry your hands with a paper towel.

GOOD TO KNOW: WASHING YOUR HANDS correctly will save you from many diseases

A toilet seat is cleaner than … a man's beard

However, the dryer in the toilet is only at the bottom of the list of the dirtiest places inour surroundings. Research shows that many more bacteria can be found, among others on a washing-up sponge or railings on buses.

Which can make some people smile, there are more germs than the toilet seat in … a man's beard. Most of them are found on the hair that grows around the nose and mouth. However, the first place in this infamous ranking is taken by a mobile phone.

According to researchers from Manchester, these devices contain five times more bacteria than on the toilet seat, shoe sole or door handle.

Category:

Genetic diseases