What Have you ever used a public toilet? If so, who knows the situation there better than you. Dirt and filth everywhere. Don’t even ask about the condition of the toilet seat. As if bacteria had taken up residence there. This is the state of most public toilets in the country. No one likes to go there unless it’s an emergency.
Here, bacteria are present in every corner and as soon as you touch the toilet door, you immediately come into contact with it. These bacteria can expose us to many types of infections and diseases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 14,000,000 people die every year worldwide due to dirt. Among them, 5,64,000 deaths are due to unsafe hygiene.
so today “News of need” Here we will talk about the harm caused by using dirty public toilets. You will also learn that-
What diseases can be caused by its use? How can we avoid it?
Expert – Dr Ajay Singh, Executive Director, AIIMS, Bhopal
Question: What are the disadvantages of using dirty public toilets?
answer- Most public toilets are teeming with dangerous bacteria and viruses, increasing the risk of infection for users. Hepatitis A virus and bacteria such as streptococcus, staphylococcus and E. Coli present here can cause many diseases. There are 20 other such names. But beyond the names of these bacteria, it’s important to keep in mind that using dirty public toilets is like inviting disease.
Know the diseases caused by it in detail in the pointers below.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Due to the uncleanliness of public toilets, women in particular can contract a urinary tract infection. Due to this, serious health problems may arise, such as pain or burning sensation during defecation, frequent visits to the toilet, foam or blood appearing in the toilet, pain in the back or in the lower abdomen.
gastrointestinal infection
Gastrointestinal infections are caused by bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which are often found on public toilet seats, flush handles and doorknobs. When these bacteria enter the stomach through food or contaminated hands, they can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea.
hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that can be caused by contact with contaminated surfaces or fecal matter found in public toilets. The hepatitis A virus is usually found in the stool of infected people and can survive on surfaces for some time. If special attention is not paid to cleanliness, there is a risk of infection. Hepatitis A can cause inflammation of the liver and lead to symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, stomach pain and nausea.
viral infection
Norovirus and other viruses like the flu are found on faucets, sinks, toilet flushes, etc. They can enter our body through any medium. Because of this, we can become vulnerable to colds and other viral illnesses. Learn about illnesses caused by using dirty toilets in the chart below.
Question: What precautions should be taken when using public toilets?
answer- Using public toilets is indeed a nightmare, but in case of an emergency, we have no choice but to use them. Don’t worry, we have an action plan that will make your next visit to the public restroom a little less dangerous. To reduce the risk of diseases caused by dirt, you can try the suggestions given in the chart.
Question – Women are at the greatest risk of using public toilets. What should they do to avoid this?
answer- Women face many challenges in using public toilets. Most women want to avoid using it due to insecurity and dirt. In the graphic below, some tips are given to women, which they can follow when using public toilets.
Now let’s talk in more detail about using public toilets safely. To do this, follow the points given below.
Choose Public Restrooms Wisely
Do not use public toilets. Go to public toilets where the cleanliness system is good. Even if it means paying a little more. In general, the cleanliness of such toilets is better, for which you have to pay money.
Only touch things that need to be touched
When going to a public restroom, keep in mind that you should at least touch the surface with your hands. After you leave, do not do any work without washing your hands. This reduces the possibility of cross contamination.
Close the lid and rinse
Be sure to flush the toilet before leaving, but close the lid before doing so. This traps the air inside the toilet and prevents bacteria from spreading throughout the room.
Do not leave your bags, coats, etc. on the toilet floor
Try not to leave your belongings on the toilet floor. This increases the chances that more objects will come into contact with the bacterial surface and spread the infection. Keep luggage up high, hang it on a hanger or let someone hold it outside.
make sure to wash your hands
This may seem trivial, but you’ll be surprised to know that, according to the World Health Organization, the risk of infection can be significantly reduced by simply washing your hands thoroughly with soap. Therefore, after coming out of the toilet, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
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2. Health note – UN meeting on antibiotic resistance: drugs become ineffective and millions of lives could be lost by 2050
According to a study published in the world-renowned journal “The Lancet”, 3 million people could die in the next 25 years due to resistance to antibiotics and antimicrobials.