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Can you pick up an STD from a toilet seat? Everyone is talking about the idea (and it’s not going away anytime soon). To answer this question and more, we turned to two leading health organizations: the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Planned Parenthood. Read on to find out what they had to say on the subject.
Can You Get An STD from a Toilet Seat – It Never Ends, Unless…
It is quite possible to get an STD from a toilet seat, but it would take an extremely unlikely circumstance. To put it simply, the risk is low enough that it probably isn’t worth worrying about. The article opens with a shocking statistic about the dangers of public toilets. It explains how bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants are easily spread from one person to another during bathroom visits.
STD stands for
STD stands for “Sexually Transmitted Diseases.”
The CDC Report
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the “average person will not contract a urinary tract infection (UTI) from using the toilet.” Only about 1 in 200 people will get a UTI from the potty.
Officials with the American Water Works Association say that “the likelihood of getting a UTI from using the toilet is about the same as getting one from swimming in a public pool.”
Sitting on a public toilet seat may give you an upset stomach or diarrhea, but these are no doubt to be caused by something you’ve eaten or drank than contact with the toilet itself.
Advice from CDC
Avoid seats:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that you should avoid contact with the seat if you have an open wound or skin infection. You can also reduce your risk of getting a toilet-related illness by washing your hands before and after using the facilities, avoiding touching your face, avoiding eating or drinking in the bathroom, and avoiding contact with other sick people.
Wash your hands thoroughly:
The CDC recommends washing your hands thoroughly with soap and regular water after using the bathroom, especially after using the toilet. Avoid touching your face, eyes, and other exposed areas of skin. If you do get an STD from a toilet seat, be sure to talk to your doctor or sexual partner about how to prevent further transmission.
If you are worried about catching STD:
If you feel that you may have contracted an STD, it is important to get tested and treated as soon as possible. Many STDs are treatable with antibiotics, but some can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
How likely STD Spread from toilet seat:
It is quite possible to get an STD from a toilet seat, but it would take an extremely unlikely circumstance. To put it simply, the risk is low enough that it probably isn’t worth worrying about.
STDs spread through Sexual Contact?
The major STDs are spread through sexual contact — and all of them are most commonly spread through vaginal or anal intercourse.
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis (but not HIV) can be transmitted through oral sex.
Possible ways of germs spreading:
There are a few ways in which an STD could be transmitted from a toilet seat:
Hands transformed germs:
If someone with an STD who hasn’t washed their hands after going to the bathroom uses the toilet, they could leave traces of their bodily fluids on the seat. Those fluids could then be transferred from the seat directly onto another person’s genitals or mouth during sex, causing them to contract the disease. This is extremely unlikely for several reasons:
- Most people wash their hands after going to the bathroom.
- If you have doubted your partner has an STD, you’d probably want to use condoms anyway.
- Even if you didn’t use condoms consistently, there’s still very little reason to believe that this would happen.
Wet or Solid Toilet Seats:
Sitting on a wet or soiled toilet seat can introduce germs and bacteria from the surrounding environment. However, you are much more likely to catch a sexually transmitted disease (STD) if you engage in unprotected sex on a toilet seat.
STDs can be spread when the skin comes into contact with the moist areas inside someone else’s body, such as during oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
STDs can also be spread through contact with blood and other bodily fluids.
Difference between STIs and STDs
There is a big difference between sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
STIs:
STIs are infections that you get from someone else.
STDs:
STDs are infections you get yourself.
Common STI:
The most common STI is HPV, spread through sexual contact, including oral and anal sex. HPV can cause cervical cancer in women and other types of cancers. Other common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes.
STD Symptoms:
STD symptoms may not always be clear and can range from mild to severe. If you’re concerned that you may have an STD, it’s important to see your doctor for a diagnosis.
Treatments:
There are many treatments available around for both STIs and STDs. So “What’s the difference between an STD and an STD spread from a toilet seat?”
While an STD can be spread through sexual contact, an STD spread from a toilet seat is usually caused by a particular type of bacteria called E Coli. This bacteria is found in toilet water and can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women and male-to-male anal intercourse (MMA).
Main Difference:
The real difference between the two is that an STD is contracted through sexual contact, while an STI is contracted through contact with someone who has an STD.
Necessary Cautions
To avoid getting an STD or STI from a toilet seat, always use a condom when having sexual intercourse and abstain from oral sex.
If you come in contact with someone else’s body fluids, clean yourself thoroughly with soap and water and consult your doctor for more information on preventing further infection.
Symptoms
STD and STI symptoms can vary depending on which virus or bacteria is causing the infection. Symptoms may include pain when urinating, discharge from the penis or vagina, fever, and swollen glands. Some STDs may also cause infertility in women and may lead to other health problems down the line. It’s important to get tested if you think you might get infected.
Misconceptions
It’s a common misconception that STDs are passed through regular contact with others. This includes things like shaking hands or sharing utensils. But in fact, most STDs are spread through sexual contact or by direct contact with an open sore or wound.