| |
 |
There are some organisms that could be acquired by contact
with toilet seats, such as;
Any resident Microorganisms
Strep (streptococcus)
Staph (staphylococcus)
Scabies - Crabs - Pubic Lice
Gonorrhea - Unlikely, but possible!
STIs, such as herpes. Unlikely, but possible!
|
HONG KONG, China (CNN)
Health officials studying how Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus is
spread say they believe the disease is not transmitted in water or in the air,
but could be spread by contact with a contaminated toilet seat.
|
|
|
Survival of Salmonella in bathrooms and toilets in domestic homes following salmonellosis.
Barker J, Bloomfield SF.
Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK. j.e.barker@aston.ac.uk
The survival and environmental spread of Salmonella bacteria from domestic toilets was examined in homes, where a family member had recently suffered an attack of salmonellosis.
 |
In four out of six households tested, Salmonella bacteria persisted in the biofilm material found under the recess of the toilet bowl rim which was difficult to remove with household toilet cleaners. |
| In two homes Salmonella bacteria became incorporated into the scaly biofilm adhering to the toilet bowl surface below the water line. |
| Salmonella enteritidis persisted in one toilet for 4 weeks after the diarrhoea had stopped, despite the use of cleaning fluids. |
| Salmonellas were not isolated from normally dry areas such as, the toilet seat, the flush handle and door handle. |
| Toilet seeding experiments were set up with Salmonella enteritidis PT4 to mimic environmental conditions associated with acute diarrhoea. |
Flushing the toilet resulted in contamination of the toilet seat and the toilet seat lid. In one out of three seedings, Salmonella bacteria were also isolated from an air sample taken immediately after flushing, indicating that airborne spread of the organism could contaminate surfaces in the bathroom.
In the seeded toilet Salmonella bacteria were isolated from the biofilm in the toilet bowl below the waterline for up to 50 d after seeding, and also on one occasion from the bowl water.
The results suggest that during diarrhoeal illness, there is considerable risk of spread of Salmonella infection to other family members via the environment, including contaminated hands and surfaces in the toilet area.
Originated from here
Germs that can spread in the washroom
Do any of the following ailments sound familiar, poor sanitation and lack of proper hand cleaning could cause a number of ailments:
Rotavirus
Rotaviruses are transferred from hand to hand and live on hard work surfaces in your washroom and cause fever, vomiting and diarrhoea
Faecal Coliforms
Coliforms are found in faeces, these contain germs that thrive in an unclean washroom. Some of these can be very serious such as:
E. Coli which can cause food poisoning symptoms and even death
Pseudamonis which can cause skin infections
Streptococcus which can cause sore throats & blood poisoning
Parasites
Parasites such as protozoa and parasitic worms can also be transferred in the washroom by hand contact. Parasitic worms grow in the gut and can cause liver, lung, brain & lymphatic damage.
Trichomoniasis
Cause: parasite of microscopic size – Trichomonas vaginalis.
This infection is very spread among women and, although very unpleasant, fortunately it is not dangerous.
Transmission:
By unprotected sexual relationship, by wet items such as towels, bathing suits, lavatory, etc.
Condiloms (Genital Warts)
Cause: Human Papiloma Virus
Transmission:
By unprotected sexual relationship and contact with infected areas.
Vaginal Lice
Cause: Vaginal louse, parasite. Vaginal louse is gray insect, 2 mm long. It is attached to hair and fed with human blood. They breed fastly, move slowly and live 3-4 weeks.
Transmission:
Mostly by sexual contact but also by physical contact, use of contaminated towels, toilets, clothes, etc.
Gonorrhea
This is one of the most known and oldest veneric diseases.
Cause: bacteria gonococcus
Transmission:
Unprotected sexual intercourse; it may also be transmitted via lavatory board, wet towels.
Did you know?
We know that many viruses, germs and bacteria are passed by touch, but did you know that these same bacteria and germs cause the odours associated with washrooms?
Cleaning is not adequate. It needs complete sanitation to ensure a healthy and safe washroom. Unfortunately research indicates only 3 out of 100 people wash effectively with soap and water. In theory you are following behind those same people, touching what they have touched, possibly picking up their germs and viruses.
Washroom and Toilet Bacteria
Washrooms and toilets are great places for bacteria to grow.
Another factor some experts who say toilets are not a risk , is toilet plume! (Toilet "aerosol") Everytime you pull the chain germs are released into the air, covering up to 6 square metres.
These germs propogate to the undersode and top side of the toilet seat and seat back.
This mist contains different types of faecal bacteria like E.coli and Staphylococcus which can cause sickness and discomfort.
Research has shown that the highest concentration of harmful bacteria found in toilets and washrooms are located in and around moist areas.
These includes urinals, toilet seats, tap handles, the inside handle of an entrance door or in wash basin overflow areas.
Regular, sanitary cleaning of washrooms and toilets is the only way to reduce bacteria numbers and prevent cross contamination.1
Sources:
|
|
|
| | |
Return To Index 