Millions of Americans get sick from infectious diseases every year, and many thousands die from them, according to the US Centers for Disease Control. Germs thrive in wet environments where they feed off organic waste. Public restrooms are perfect environments for germs. People have a common fear of catching Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) from public toilet seats. These diseases are transmitted from one person to another by having unprotected sex. The experts say the bacteria and viruses that cause STDs die off quickly outside of the human body. What you can catch from using public restrooms are the common cold and flu, intestinal sickness, skin infections, streptococcus, staphylococcus, salmonella, E. coli, hepatitis A, salmonella and shigella. Read this informative article and learn how to protect yourself from the health hazards in public restrooms.
Steps to Safely Use a Public Restroom-
1. Be Prepared
Take a paper towel with you or use a facial tissue. Use a paper towel or a piece of toilet paper from the restroom only if necessary. It’s a good idea to carry a hand sanitizer with you in case the restroom doesn’t provide soap.
2. Check the Restroom Stall First
Look for a stall that has a clean toilet seat and a toilet paper holder that completely covers, or almost covers, the paper. This cover helps protect the paper from splashes and germs. Never use toilet paper that’s set on top of the holder, or that’s placed anywhere outside the holder.
3. Inside the Stall
To protect yourself from health hazards in a public restroom, don’t take packages or purchases in with you. Don’t set your purse or bag on the floor either. Instead, hang it up.
When you’re finished, flush the toilet with your shoe. Only use your hand if you have a paper towel or a wad of toilet paper to protect your skin from contact with germs. Immediately leave the restroom stall to avoid any germy, airborne mist from the flush. Again, don’t touch the door handle with an unprotected hand. Do not touch your eyes, nose, face or mouth until you’ve correctly washed your hands.
4. Outside the Stall
Think you’re safe from germs now? You’re not out of the woods yet. Besides toilets and door handles being “hot spots” for infectious germs, faucet handles, sinks, paper towel dispensers and dryer vents are too. Turn the faucet on while holding a towel.
5. Wash Your Hands Correctly
Rinsing your hands with water can remove dirt and debris you can see, but water doesn’t kill infectious germs. To do it right, wet your hands with warm water. Add enough soap so you can work up a good lather. Rub your hands together and wash your palms, in between your fingers, the backs of your hands, your wrists, and even underneath your fingernails. Spend at least 20 – 30 seconds washing your hands to ensure they’re really clean. Rinse your hands with warm water. To protect yourself from the health hazards of public restrooms, turn the water off with a paper towel. Then, dry your hands completely. If the restroom has dryers instead of paper towels, don’t touch the dryer vent to further avoid contacting germs.
6. One Last Precaution
Now that you’ve finished your visit to the public restroom, remember to open the door with a paper towel to leave. Because many people don’t wash their hands at all, or don’t wash them properly, those door handles are also germ carriers.
Resources
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/what-can-you-catch-in-restrooms
http://www.nutritionlessons.com/health-tips-when-using-public-restrooms.php