2023-07-12 09:58:19
The danger of spreading viruses and bacteria in public toilets is no secret. Even well-maintained toilets can, under certain circumstances, cause diseases. Fortunately, you can significantly reduce the risk of infection in public toilets with a few simple measures – an expert reveals what to look out for.
Protection against germs
The unavoidable touching of surfaces such as door handles, toilet flushing or toilet paper rolls when going to the toilet can appear harmless at first glance. On closer inspection, however, these surfaces turn out to be true breeding grounds for viruses and other pathogens. Dirk Bockmühl, hygiene expert at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, recommends protecting your hands with a handkerchief or toilet paper if you come into direct contact with the surfaces.
Choose the right cabin
According to a study, most people prefer the middle toilet stall. It is recommended to avoid this cabin as this is where most germs reside. Bockmühl speaks of a possible “faecal-oral route” in which faecal germs are excreted and taken up again through the mouth and nose. A high dose of germs can therefore lead to infections.
The toilet lid should also be kept closed when flushing to avoid pathogens being whirled up in the air and being transmitted to the skin. Bacteria are larger than viruses and only stay in the air for a short time. Viruses, on the other hand, are practically thrown into the environment from the toilet.
Thorough hand washing
Thorough hand washing is still very important when going to the toilet, as our hands are a paradise for around 150 types of bacteria. According to a Leipzig study, we touch our faces up to 800 times a day, which gives pathogens the opportunity to spread easily. The expert emphasizes that disinfectants are not an adequate substitute for hand washing.
After washing your hands, the expert recommends using the paper towel to open the cubicle door instead of throwing it away immediately. As a result, the freshly washed hands are protected from renewed germ contamination. Air dryers should be avoided entirely as they hold about 1300 times more germs than paper towels.
risk of infection
Professor Bockmühl estimates the risk of infection when going to the toilet to be rather low. Many germs would already have to be present on the surfaces to enable infection. You are also unlikely to catch a bladder infection from the toilet seat. Incorrect wiping technique is more often responsible. When women wipe themselves from back to front, harmful intestinal bacteria can get into the vaginal opening. Infection with sexually transmitted diseases is also rather rare.
In most cases, contact between the thigh and the toilet seat is harmless, as our skin acts as a protective shield against germs. However, people with wounds in this area should be careful. It is also recommended not to walk barefoot on wet floors in public restrooms as there can be sporadic germs that cause athlete’s foot.
Smartphone-Hygiene
It is better to keep your smartphone in your pocket when going to the toilet. If it is placed on contact surfaces such as the toilet paper holder, germs can colonize the display or the back of the cell phone. Since we touch our mobile phone an average of 2617 times a day and it therefore comes into direct contact with germs, care should be taken to clean it regularly.
Sources: welt.de
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