Can UTI be caused by contact with the toilet seat?
If you’re always grossed out when using a public bathroom, you need not worry. Touching your body on the toilet seat may give you the scares of UTI. Yes, using toilet seats do cause urinary infection, but merely sitting on the toilet seat may not cause urinary infection. In fact dehydration and holding your urine are bigger causes of UTI.
3 ways one could catch a UTI from a toilet seat
1. Infection is caused when using public toilets which are not maintained properly.
2. When a person uses toilet paper to clean herself from anal region to the urethra.
3. Getting in contact with the urine of an infected person.
Stress incontinence and UTI
If a person has dribbling of urine or stress incontinence, then in such cases, many drops of urine may fall on the toilet seat. A person using it immediately, can cause urinary infection. This can occur if you touch your contaminated hand on the vagina. If the person's immunity is low, or they are vulnerable to infection, chances of contracting a UTI are higher.
Can using western toilets increase the UTI risk?
“The frequent use of western toilets is more risky when it comes to UTI infections. Risk may increase if you have not cleaned your hands properly. A little piece of tissue paper left in the vagina may also increase the risk. According to a study, urinary infection was more common in ladies using western toilets 78.2%, compared to use of Indian toilets. More recurrence of infection was found in women using western toilets.” says Dr. Maya Modi, Obs, Gynaec, Author of a global best seller, Reverse your age.
What does UTI cause?
It may cause risk of pyelonephritis, cystitis or urethritis. It may cause premature delivery.It can indirectly affect the fetus. This can occur if not diagnosed or treated. Women are more affected than men. This is due to anatomical differences. The urethra is shorter in women than in men.
What should one do?
Clean public toilet seats before urinating. Clean the private parts from front, and not from back to front. Wash hands thoroughly after urination. One should sit properly on the toilet seat, so as not to leave any residual urine. Allow enough time to empty your bladder. One is always safe from UTI, if hygiene is maintained well.
Also Read: Coronavirus: Pandemic stress caused changes in women's periods, new study finds
Start a Conversation
Post comment