Have you ever used a public toilet? If yes, who knows the situation there better than you. Dirt and filth everywhere. Don't even ask about the position of the toilet seat. It's as if the bacteria have made it their home. This is the condition of most of the public toilets in the country. No one likes to go there unless there is an emergency.
There are bacteria present in every corner and as soon as we touch the toilet door we come in contact with it. These bacteria can put us at risk of many types of infections and diseases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.4 million people die every year due to pollution in the world. 5,64,000 of these deaths are due to unsafe hygiene.
So today In 'Work News' We will talk about the disadvantages of using a dirty public toilet. You will also learn that-
- What diseases can be caused by its use?
- How can it be avoided?
Expert – Dr. Ajay Singh, Executive Director, AIIMS, Bhopal
Q- What are the disadvantages of using a dirty public toilet?
Answer : Most public toilets are full of bacteria and dangerous viruses, which increase the risk of infection among users. Hepatitis A virus and Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and E. Bacteria like coli are present here. There are 20 more such names. But more than just the name of the bacteria, it's important to remember that using a dirty public toilet is like inviting disease.
Know in detail about the diseases caused by it in the following indicators.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Urinary tract infections can occur especially in women due to unsanitary conditions in public toilets. Due to this, serious health conditions can occur such as pain or burning during defecation, frequent need to go to the toilet, foam or blood in the toilet, pain in the back or lower abdomen.
Gastro intestinal infection Gastrointestinal infection e. coli and salmonella, which are often found on public toilet seats, flush handles, and door handles. When these bacteria enter the stomach through food or contaminated hands, they can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis is a viral infection that can be caused by contact with contaminated surfaces or faecal matter present in public toilets. Hepatitis A virus is commonly found in the stool of infected individuals and can survive on surfaces for a certain period of time. If hygiene is not given special attention, 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 Other viruses such as norovirus and influenza are present on faucets, sinks, flushes, etc. They can enter our body through any means. Due to which we can fall victim to cold and other viral diseases. Learn about the diseases caused by using dirty toilets in the graphic below.
Q- What precautions should be taken while using public toilets? Answer- Using a public toilet is indeed a nightmare, but in an emergency we have no choice but to use it. Don't worry, we have an action plan that will make your next public toilet visit a little less dangerous. To reduce the risk of diseases caused by dirt, you can try the suggestions given in the graphic.
Q- Women are most at risk of using public toilets. What should they do to avoid this?
Answer- Women face many challenges to use public toilets. Most women want to avoid using it due to insecurity and dirtiness. The graphic below provides some tips for women to follow while using public toilets.
Now let's talk in some detail about using public toilets safely. For this follow the points given below.
Choose public toilets wisely
Do not use any public toilet. Go to a public toilet where sanitation is good. Even if you have to pay a little more for it. Pay-to-use toilets generally have better hygiene.
Touch only those things that need to be touched When going to a public toilet, keep in mind that you should at least touch the surface with your hands. Do not do any work without washing your hands after going out. This reduces the possibility of cross contamination.
Close the lid and flush Don't forget to flush the toilet before leaving, but close the lid before doing so. It traps air inside the toilet and prevents bacteria from spreading in the room.
Do not leave your bags and coats etc. on the floor of the toilet Do not leave your belongings on the toilet floor. This increases the chances of items coming into contact with bacterial surfaces and spreading infection. Keep the luggage in a high place, hang it on a hanger or have someone hold it outside.
Wash your hands carefully This may not sound like a big deal, but you may be surprised to know that according to the World Health Organization, simply washing your hands thoroughly with soap can greatly reduce the risk of infection. So, after coming from the toilet, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
