Be Careful Where You Sit!

​DANGER!  DANGER!  DANGER!

Beware of the commode that you sit on!

Be Careful Where You Sit!
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

Toilets are the recipients of human waste and convey the same to a safe collection point from which it can readily be treated or safely disposed.  This waste is also reused for energy production in biogas and is treated for irrigation as a fertilizer.

The toilet apparatus must be maintained and cleaned continuously because of the materials conveyed to prevent diseases and infections such as hepatitis.  This is due to several pathogens that hover over the toilet seat, flushing device, jet spray, doorknobs, and areas surrounding the toilet device (commode).

When these microbes meet human skin or enter the nose, mouth, or eyes through contaminated hands, they cause a wide range of infections, and some can be harsh or life-threatening.

In this ARTICLE, we will discuss some infections that may spread by using a dirty toilet.

• Cholera - is spread through fecal-oral routes and contaminated environmental surfaces such as lakes or agricultural lands.  By focusing on its transmission route (i.e., improper sanitation), we can prevent and control the disease spread in many areas where cholera is endemic.   

 

• Cold and flu - viruses are also among the common viral infection that can spread by using dirty toilets.  They may cause flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, blocked or running nose.
  
  
• Diarrhea Bacteria - caused by Salmonella or Campylobacter bacteria.  When a person travels to a place with poor sanitation, they may also get diarrhea due to infection by E. coli, Shigella, or certain parasites on the feces.
  
  
• Food poisoning - consumption of food through contaminated hands may cause food poisoning.  This happens when a person does not wash hands after visiting the bathroom or public toilets.  The transfer of Salmonella bacteria from domestic toilets can make other family members sick.
  
  
• Gonorrhea - a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can spread using a toilet seat.  Gonorrhea infection can cause symptoms such as thick and green vaginal discharge.
  
  
• Hepatitis A infection - the infection is predominantly transmitted by the fecal-to-oral route.  The symptoms of hepatitis A infection include fever, nausea, and abdominal cramps.  The incubation period of the virus is long, so the infection often goes unrecognized.
  
  
• Pneumonia - the presence of pneumonia bacteria on mobile phones, etc.  The microbes are transmitted to the device from many sources, including the toilet seat.  This can happen when a person uses their mobile and does not wash their hands.
  
  
• Pubic lice - are primarily found in the pubic hair area.  They spread mainly through toilet seats or sexual contact.  Itchiness in the genital region during nighttime is the main symptom of the infection.
  
  
• Scarlet fever (Group A Streptococcus) - is the leading cause of scarlet fever, the same bacteria type that causes strep throat.  They are mainly spread by mucosal transfer or infected droplets such as nasal secretion, sneeze, or cough.
  
  
• Skin infections (streptococci bacteria) - can cause mild to severe skin infections such as impetigo and necrotizing fasciitis through a toilet seat.  The bacteria may also cause boils in the buttocks and irritation on the perianal skin.
  
  
• Stomach cramps - can be due to infection by E-coli bacteria through contaminated toilet seats.  Sometimes, diarrhea can progress and worsen, causing severe abdominal cramps, bloody stools, and vomiting.
  
  
• Strep throat (streptococcus) - is the most common bacteria found in the washroom.  It is the leading cause of many infections, including strep throat.  The bacteria is highly contagious.  It may infect a person through contaminated bathroom objects or if an infected person touches objects such as doorknobs, flushing devices, or toilet seats.
  
  
• UTI - poor toilet habits can increase the risk of urinary tract infection, which is the second most common reason for hospital visits.  UTI is a common health problem in women of younger age.

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