A family physician, Dr.Amanda Felix, has warned against squatting and hovering on toilets to avoid germs.
Felix told News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja that touching toilet seats increased the chances of getting infection.
He also said that by opening one’s legs while squatting on the toilet seat exposes the user to a substantial amount of virus or bacteria.
She said that some people squat even on the floor of the toilet which she said could be more harmful, adding that there are more germs on the floor of a public toilet than the toilet seat itself.
She added that using the toilet seat reduced the possibility of splashing urine or water from the lavatory around and littering the restrooms with faeces and urine.
According to him, one needs to wash the toilet seat with water where one has to squat on the toilet.
The family physician said that proper flushing of the toilet and seats should be done before and after using them.
According to her, one should not be sitting directly on the toilet seat, it is better to cover the toilet seat with toilet paper or use antibacterial wipes and sit.
She added that it is possible to contact germs when the toilet seat is contaminated with germs.
The expert said that it is possible that bugs such as E-coli or Salmonella are contractible in a public toilet and this can increase your chances of getting a urinary tract infection.
She added that some of the diseases that can be contracted in the public toilet include gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, hepatitis, typhoid and worm infestation.
According to her, some toilet infections last for a short while and can be treated easily with mild antibiotics.
She said that when some are left untreated, especially in women, toilet infections can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is the main culprit responsible for infertility in women.
She said that it is not possible to contact sexually transmitted diseases by using a public toilet.
“As long as you remember to wash your hands, your own immune system should protect you from the diseases in the public toilet.
“You can use antibacterial hand sanitiser for extra protection,’’ she said.
Felix said that leaving your hands unwashed after using public toilets increases the risk of getting infected.
(NAN)
source http://punchng.com/you-can-contact-infections-in-public-toilet-not-stds-expert-claims/
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