Can you get a disease from sitting on a public toilet seat? [closed]
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Many travelers I know are extremely wary of using public toilets while sitting down, because they're afraid of catching a germ from the toilet seat. But is it really true that public toilets are dangerous? Should one carry disinfectant at all times to be safe?
hygiene
asked Aug 8 '17 at 4:35
JonathanReez♦
47.5k36222482
closed as off-topic by Greg Hewgill, David Richerby, Ali Awan, choster, Olielo Aug 10 '17 at 5:22
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
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up vote
5
down vote
favorite
Many travelers I know are extremely wary of using public toilets while sitting down, because they're afraid of catching a germ from the toilet seat. But is it really true that public toilets are dangerous? Should one carry disinfectant at all times to be safe?
hygiene
asked Aug 8 '17 at 4:35
JonathanReez♦
47.5k36222482
closed as off-topic by Greg Hewgill, David Richerby, Ali Awan, choster, Olielo Aug 10 '17 at 5:22
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
1
+1 I always wonder about the same..
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 7:43
1
I'd title it with "We're all adults here...", but I assume this is an even bigger issue for kids.
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 8 '17 at 7:50
1
I'd make it "We're all adults here, are public toilets safe"
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 8:00
1
I expect that it certainly is possible since the previous user might have a highly infectious disease. However, whether it is likely is a quite different question. You might also get sick because some next to you on the bus or the street coughs or sneezes on you. Maybe someone who prepared or handled your food did not wash his hands. The list is endless; if it is too scary then you will just have to stay at home. Of course, "most accidents happen at home" so that is not safe either.
– badjohn
Aug 8 '17 at 8:07
4
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about public health, not travel.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 8 '17 at 20:01
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
Many travelers I know are extremely wary of using public toilets while sitting down, because they're afraid of catching a germ from the toilet seat. But is it really true that public toilets are dangerous? Should one carry disinfectant at all times to be safe?
hygiene
asked Aug 8 '17 at 4:35
JonathanReez♦
47.5k36222482
Many travelers I know are extremely wary of using public toilets while sitting down, because they're afraid of catching a germ from the toilet seat. But is it really true that public toilets are dangerous? Should one carry disinfectant at all times to be safe?
hygiene
hygiene
asked Aug 8 '17 at 4:35
JonathanReez♦
47.5k36222482
asked Aug 8 '17 at 4:35
JonathanReez♦
47.5k36222482
asked Aug 8 '17 at 4:35
JonathanReez♦
47.5k36222482
asked Aug 8 '17 at 4:35
JonathanReez♦
47.5k36222482
asked Aug 8 '17 at 4:35
JonathanReez♦
47.5k36222482
47.5k36222482
closed as off-topic by Greg Hewgill, David Richerby, Ali Awan, choster, Olielo Aug 10 '17 at 5:22
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
closed as off-topic by Greg Hewgill, David Richerby, Ali Awan, choster, Olielo Aug 10 '17 at 5:22
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
1
+1 I always wonder about the same..
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 7:43
1
I'd title it with "We're all adults here...", but I assume this is an even bigger issue for kids.
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 8 '17 at 7:50
1
I'd make it "We're all adults here, are public toilets safe"
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 8:00
1
I expect that it certainly is possible since the previous user might have a highly infectious disease. However, whether it is likely is a quite different question. You might also get sick because some next to you on the bus or the street coughs or sneezes on you. Maybe someone who prepared or handled your food did not wash his hands. The list is endless; if it is too scary then you will just have to stay at home. Of course, "most accidents happen at home" so that is not safe either.
– badjohn
Aug 8 '17 at 8:07
4
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about public health, not travel.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 8 '17 at 20:01
add a comment |
1
+1 I always wonder about the same..
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 7:43
1
I'd title it with "We're all adults here...", but I assume this is an even bigger issue for kids.
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 8 '17 at 7:50
1
I'd make it "We're all adults here, are public toilets safe"
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 8:00
1
I expect that it certainly is possible since the previous user might have a highly infectious disease. However, whether it is likely is a quite different question. You might also get sick because some next to you on the bus or the street coughs or sneezes on you. Maybe someone who prepared or handled your food did not wash his hands. The list is endless; if it is too scary then you will just have to stay at home. Of course, "most accidents happen at home" so that is not safe either.
– badjohn
Aug 8 '17 at 8:07
4
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about public health, not travel.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 8 '17 at 20:01
1
1
+1 I always wonder about the same..
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 7:43
+1 I always wonder about the same..
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 7:43
1
1
I'd title it with "We're all adults here...", but I assume this is an even bigger issue for kids.
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 8 '17 at 7:50
I'd title it with "We're all adults here...", but I assume this is an even bigger issue for kids.
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 8 '17 at 7:50
1
1
I'd make it "We're all adults here, are public toilets safe"
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 8:00
I'd make it "We're all adults here, are public toilets safe"
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 8:00
1
1
I expect that it certainly is possible since the previous user might have a highly infectious disease. However, whether it is likely is a quite different question. You might also get sick because some next to you on the bus or the street coughs or sneezes on you. Maybe someone who prepared or handled your food did not wash his hands. The list is endless; if it is too scary then you will just have to stay at home. Of course, "most accidents happen at home" so that is not safe either.
– badjohn
Aug 8 '17 at 8:07
I expect that it certainly is possible since the previous user might have a highly infectious disease. However, whether it is likely is a quite different question. You might also get sick because some next to you on the bus or the street coughs or sneezes on you. Maybe someone who prepared or handled your food did not wash his hands. The list is endless; if it is too scary then you will just have to stay at home. Of course, "most accidents happen at home" so that is not safe either.
– badjohn
Aug 8 '17 at 8:07
4
4
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about public health, not travel.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 8 '17 at 20:01
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about public health, not travel.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 8 '17 at 20:01
add a comment |
1 Answer
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If you don't have any injuries on the parts of the skin which touch the toilet seats, it's very unlikely that you catch an infection from the germs there. Remember, that in the whole environment our body is exposed to uncountable germs, and we still don't get sick. If you would have open wounds, it would be a different issue, but then i guess you wouldn't even sit down.
Carrying disinfectant certainly helps. There are travel sized kits with wipes, spray and hand gel. I also carry one of those, just to be safe. It is though more important to wash your hand properly and disinfect those, because that's the main entry point how you can infect yourself or other people (e.g. by eating with infected hands etc.). In case of eating, e.g., the germs are exposed to your mucosa, which is easier to pass than your skin.
answered Aug 8 '17 at 12:18
dunni
2,7711319
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
If you don't have any injuries on the parts of the skin which touch the toilet seats, it's very unlikely that you catch an infection from the germs there. Remember, that in the whole environment our body is exposed to uncountable germs, and we still don't get sick. If you would have open wounds, it would be a different issue, but then i guess you wouldn't even sit down.
Carrying disinfectant certainly helps. There are travel sized kits with wipes, spray and hand gel. I also carry one of those, just to be safe. It is though more important to wash your hand properly and disinfect those, because that's the main entry point how you can infect yourself or other people (e.g. by eating with infected hands etc.). In case of eating, e.g., the germs are exposed to your mucosa, which is easier to pass than your skin.
answered Aug 8 '17 at 12:18
dunni
2,7711319
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
If you don't have any injuries on the parts of the skin which touch the toilet seats, it's very unlikely that you catch an infection from the germs there. Remember, that in the whole environment our body is exposed to uncountable germs, and we still don't get sick. If you would have open wounds, it would be a different issue, but then i guess you wouldn't even sit down.
Carrying disinfectant certainly helps. There are travel sized kits with wipes, spray and hand gel. I also carry one of those, just to be safe. It is though more important to wash your hand properly and disinfect those, because that's the main entry point how you can infect yourself or other people (e.g. by eating with infected hands etc.). In case of eating, e.g., the germs are exposed to your mucosa, which is easier to pass than your skin.
answered Aug 8 '17 at 12:18
dunni
2,7711319
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
If you don't have any injuries on the parts of the skin which touch the toilet seats, it's very unlikely that you catch an infection from the germs there. Remember, that in the whole environment our body is exposed to uncountable germs, and we still don't get sick. If you would have open wounds, it would be a different issue, but then i guess you wouldn't even sit down.
Carrying disinfectant certainly helps. There are travel sized kits with wipes, spray and hand gel. I also carry one of those, just to be safe. It is though more important to wash your hand properly and disinfect those, because that's the main entry point how you can infect yourself or other people (e.g. by eating with infected hands etc.). In case of eating, e.g., the germs are exposed to your mucosa, which is easier to pass than your skin.
answered Aug 8 '17 at 12:18
dunni
2,7711319
If you don't have any injuries on the parts of the skin which touch the toilet seats, it's very unlikely that you catch an infection from the germs there. Remember, that in the whole environment our body is exposed to uncountable germs, and we still don't get sick. If you would have open wounds, it would be a different issue, but then i guess you wouldn't even sit down.
Carrying disinfectant certainly helps. There are travel sized kits with wipes, spray and hand gel. I also carry one of those, just to be safe. It is though more important to wash your hand properly and disinfect those, because that's the main entry point how you can infect yourself or other people (e.g. by eating with infected hands etc.). In case of eating, e.g., the germs are exposed to your mucosa, which is easier to pass than your skin.
answered Aug 8 '17 at 12:18
dunni
2,7711319
answered Aug 8 '17 at 12:18
dunni
2,7711319
answered Aug 8 '17 at 12:18
dunni
2,7711319
answered Aug 8 '17 at 12:18
dunni
2,7711319
2,7711319
add a comment |
add a comment |
1
+1 I always wonder about the same..
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 7:43
1
I'd title it with "We're all adults here...", but I assume this is an even bigger issue for kids.
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 8 '17 at 7:50
1
I'd make it "We're all adults here, are public toilets safe"
– Nean Der Thal
Aug 8 '17 at 8:00
1
I expect that it certainly is possible since the previous user might have a highly infectious disease. However, whether it is likely is a quite different question. You might also get sick because some next to you on the bus or the street coughs or sneezes on you. Maybe someone who prepared or handled your food did not wash his hands. The list is endless; if it is too scary then you will just have to stay at home. Of course, "most accidents happen at home" so that is not safe either.
– badjohn
Aug 8 '17 at 8:07
4
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about public health, not travel.
– Greg Hewgill
Aug 8 '17 at 20:01