Diseases you never knew you could catch from a public toilet
A visit to the dreaded public toilet isn’t the most glamorous part of anyone’s day, but sometimes nature calls and you’re caught between a rock and a hard place.
While you sometimes don’t have a choice in the matter, new research from the UK suggests there’s a good reason we should be reluctant to use these shared bathrooms.
Dr Preethi Daniel, from the UK National Health Service, says that while it is a myth that people can catch, “sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis” in a public toilet, there are some nasties you should be vigilant of.
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.
So, what are you to do if nature calls and you don’t have any other options?
Dr Daniel recommends the following measures:
- Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet.
- Carry a travel size antibacterial hand sanitiser for extra protection.
- Cover the toilet seat with toilet paper or use antibacterial wipes.
Do you use public toilets?
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