Have you ever had to enter a public toilet and noticed that someone had been there before you? The sight can make anyone want to turn around. But even if the doet is dirty, it is not necessarily the worst. Because what is even worse is still hanging in the air. These are invisible droplets and particles, called aerosols. They are so small that we cannot see them, but they splash into the air when we flush down the toilet. So the next time you visit a public toilet, you can shift your focus from the dirty doet, and rather think about what you’re actually breathing in. Viruses and eggs from intestinal worms – All these droplets (aerosols) can contain infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses and eggs from intestinal worms, says Jörn Klein. He is professor of microbiology and infection control at the University of Southeast Norway. The aerosols remain suspended in the air as gas. And we inhale this gas. The chance of getting infectious agents in this way is greatest in public toilets, which many people use. You don’t always have a choice, because some public toilets simply lack a lid. Photo: Morten Waagø / news In private toilets, the problem is less. A family often shares bacteria and viruses anyway. There is also a difference between different toilets. Water pressure, water volume and size affect how large the spray is. But how good are people at closing the lid when they flush the toilet? We have checked. Jörn Klein is professor of microbiology and infection control. Photo: University of Southeast Norway – Can be useful According to a survey carried out by Norstat on behalf of news, about half answer that they close the lid when it is flushed down. There is also a clear tendency for those under 40 to close the lid to a greater extent than those who are older. What are you doing? I always close No, that sucks Show result – I generally think that it is not harmful to come into contact with my own or other people’s intestinal bacteria. It happens anyway to a certain extent, says Anne Spurkland. She is a professor of anatomy at the University of Oslo, and a researcher in molecular immunology. – And the vast majority of the bacteria we have in our intestines do not cause disease, but can rather be neutral or useful for us. And the immune system needs contact with bacteria to develop normally, continues the professor. But even if the infection is perhaps worst in public toilets, it might be a good idea to think about a thing or two: Among other things, where you have placed your toothbrush in your bathroom… Anne Spurkland is a professor of anatomy. Photo: University of Oslo Where is your toothbrush? Here, Jörn Klein is quite clear in his recommendation: – It is a good idea to leave the lid on when you are at home too – at least when you brush your teeth in the same room as the toilet, he says. Because although it is completely normal for our toothbrushes to have some bacteria in them, these aerosols can also stick to them. However, when it comes to stool bacteria, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The toothbrush is not a suitable environment for these. – This means that intestinal bacteria can get on the toothbrush, but they probably won’t thrive, explains Klein. The toothbrush can be exposed to aerosols with infectious agents. Think about where you store it, is the advice from the experts. Photo: Tuva Tagseth / news This can help Effective hand washing, washing of surfaces and maintenance of the room makes the risk of infection much less. This is shown by another research article which had a review of 38 studies from 13 countries on the risk of infection by coronavirus and other infectious agents in public toilets. There they state that surfaces can be contaminated with bacteria and viruses. However, they found no evidence that the corona has been transmitted in this way. The researchers still believe that this must be investigated more carefully. – Covering the water surface in the toilet with toilet paper before flushing will act as a barrier to reduce aerosols with microbial particles, says Klein. How dangerous it is to be exposed to infectious agents in aerosols depends on how much virus and bacteria are in the air, and how well your immune system is equipped to deal with it. – But people can certainly be aware of this possibility and behave accordingly when they seek out toilets that are used by more than the immediate family, says Anne Spurkland. – I think this is an underestimated route of infection, says Jörn Klein. But, the very simplest thing is: Keep the lid on! In any case, you avoid inhaling viruses from intestinal worms. Poop contains many bacteria. These can be both a friend and an enemy. Photo: Morten Waagø / news
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A lot of infection splashes out of the toilet if you don’t close the lid – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
