Although herpes is a highly contagious illness, there is very little chance that you would contract it from a toilet seat.
The herpes virus has an extremely brief lifespan outside of the body.
It soon perishes on surfaces like toilet seats.
There is extremely little chance that you will get herpes from a toilet seat or any other surface.
To the point of asserting that “you will not get herpes from toilet seats,” the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Read on to find out more.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ It’s critical that you schedule a visit with your doctor if you’ve lately had herpes symptoms.
✅ Delay having sex until a diagnosis is made.
✅ Herpes can slumber for years in you or a companion.
✅ This implies that the symptoms of the infection may not become apparent for a while after you come into touch with the virus.
✅ Herpes infections nearly often develop from direct skin-to-skin contact, such as during sexual activity.
✅ You are extremely unlikely, if not completely improbable, to contract herpes from a toilet seat.
✅ You may avoid catching additional bugs and bacteria from toilet seats and bathrooms by maintaining a strong immune system and practicing good cleanliness.
How do people catch it?
A sexually transmitted disease is herpes (STI). Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 are two related viruses that are responsible (HSV-2). Adult Americans in America frequently have herpes. According to the CDC, the virus affects more than 1 in every 6 people between the ages of 14 and 49.
Herpes is a virus that can be spread through mucosal or secretory contact with an infected person. The majority of this touch occurs during vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, as well as during kissing. In the event that you come into touch with the virus, herpes may also occasionally infiltrate your body through scrapes, cuts, or abrasions.
Many people may carry genital herpes without being aware of it. In fact, some people have the virus for years before they exhibit warning signs or symptoms like mouth sores or genital blisters that rupture and ooze. Given how long the virus can lay dormant, determining how you first came into touch with it may be challenging.
Can you get anything else off a toilet seat?
The risk of getting herpes from a toilet seat may be low, but you could still pick up other viruses and bacteria. The vigorous flush of the toilet is one method of germ transmission in a restroom. The toilet releases a thin spray of microscopic droplets as you turn the handle, and these droplets can land on neighboring objects. You risk spreading several germs when you touch these surfaces.
Toilets and their surroundings can harbor the following germs and viruses:
- Streptococcus. This bacterium is known as “flesh-eating bacteria” because it causes strep throat and necrotizing fasciitis, an aggressive skin infection.
- The bacteria Shigella. The digestive system is impacted by this bacterium. The common symptom of it is diarrhea.
- Staphylococcus. This bacterium, often known as staph, can remain on objects like toilet seats and spread from one person to another. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one variety that can endure on surfaces for up to three months. Within three seconds of touch, it can spread.
- Escherichia coli. Normally found in the human intestines, the E. coli bacterium can spread by airborne toilet mist.
- Norovirus. This frequently occurring, extremely contagious virus can remain on surfaces for almost two weeks.
- Influenza. On nonporous surfaces like a toilet seat, the flu virus can survive for up to two or three days. It can also last that long on a door handle, remote control, or your phone.
Where in the bathroom are germs most frequently found?
Although it’s common knowledge that a bathroom’s toilet is where most bacteria and germs are found, research indicates that’s not necessarily the case.
According to one study, bathroom floors had the highest concentration of bacteria. On a bathroom floor, more than 68 percent of the bacteria and germs are external. Only 15% of the total weight is made up of feces.
The toilet seat wasn’t ranked first in this survey, but other bathroom hotspots for germ activity were, such as:
- sinks
- Tap handles
- Dispensers of towels
How to be safe in the restroom
Follow these guidelines when using the restroom, especially in a public area:
Utilize a bathroom with paper towel holders.
Look for a stall with a metal or plastic shield that almost completely encloses the paper towels since fecal spray from the toilet can drop on porous toilet paper.
Use sanitizing wipes
According to one study, using an antiseptic wipe to the toilet seat’s surface can significantly reduce microorganisms. Although convenient, paper toilet seat coverings might not be particularly effective. The majority of germs are tiny enough to pass through the permeable threads of paper. Those sheets may also be covered by toilet paper spray.
Clean your hands.
Nearly all men and women say they wash their hands, but according to a survey, just 83 percent actually do.
Avoid skipping steps when washing your hands. Scrub your hands, fingers, and the area around your fingernails for 20 to 30 seconds after pumping soap into your hands. Rinse well once more.
To flush, put on your shoe.
This method may already be well-known to you. Instead of flushing with your hand, use your foot. This will prevent you from touching at least one contaminated surface.
To clean surfaces, use a paper towel.
After washing your hands completely, open the door and shut off the faucet with a paper towel. By doing this, you’ll avoid coming into contact with any bacteria that may be living there.
Never touch the dryer vents.
Use your elbow to turn on the hot air drier if you’re using one. Keep your hands away from the machine’s vents. You might acquire hidden pathogens from those surfaces.