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Table of contents
- What Can You Catch From a Toilet Seat?
- How Do STIs Actually Spread?
- How To Avoid Bacteria in Public Restrooms
- How To Prevent STIs
- Stay Safe
Do you remember the worst public restroom you’ve ever visited? While bacteria, parasites, and viruses can thrive on bathroom surfaces, can you get an STD from a toilet seat?
Technically, yes. But it's extremely unlikely. The World Health Organization estimates that over 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired daily, but they are predominantly spread through intimate activities like vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and close skin-to-skin contact.
Although we can’t make every public restroom in the world sparkling clean, we can clear up some of the myths about STIs. If you want to put your mind at ease the next time you need to sit on a public toilet, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about how STIs are spread, the best ways to protect yourself from bacteria in public restrooms, and how to prevent STIs.
What STIs Can You Catch From a Toilet Seat?
Most of the organisms that cause STIs can’t survive for long outside of the human body, but there is one you can theoretically catch from a toilet seat: trichomoniasis.
Before we explain how that’s possible, we should reiterate that you are much more likely to catch other types of viruses, germs, and bacteria from toilets and surfaces in public bathrooms rather than an STI.
What is trichomoniasis?
Also referred to as trich, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted parasite. Trich is often unnoticeable, but its main symptom is vaginitis (vaginal discharge) and penile discharge.
How is trichomoniasis spread?
Intercourse is the most common cause of transmission, but according to the Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, trich parasites can survive for several hours on damp or moist surfaces including towels and toilet seats.
Can you catch trichomoniasis from a toilet seat?
Yes, because trichomoniasis can survive on a toilet seat for a short time. However, your genital area would need to come into direct contact with the parasite within a few hours of the STI being transferred to the toilet seat.
So, while possible, it’s highly unlikely. You’re more likely to get trich from being sexually active.
How Do STIs Actually Spread?
There are three different types of STIs:
- Viral
- Bacterial
- Parasitic
Germs that cause STIs live in semen, blood, vaginal fluids, or saliva. As a result, STIs are spread mainly through oral, vaginal, or anal sex, although some can spread through sexual skin-to-skin contact.
The Office on Women’s Health also notes that in some instances, an infected mother can also pass along an STI to her child during vaginal childbirth.
How To Avoid Bacteria in Public Restrooms
Whenever you need to use a public restroom, here are a few helpful hygiene practices:
- Wash your hands thoroughly
- Wipe off the toilet seat and cover it
- Make sure the toilet paper roll is clean
- Don’t set personal belongings on the floor
- Flush carefully
- Close the lid before flushing
How To Prevent STIs
As their name implies, sexually transmitted infections are spread during sex. STI transmission is a risk any time you engage in sexual activity, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.
Use Barrier Protection
Latex condoms effectively reduce the risk of STIs.
Get Tested for STIs Regularly
STIs don’t always present obvious symptoms. Routine STI testing can help you stay informed.
If you have symptoms or concerns about possible exposure, you can explore online sexual health care options and, if appropriate, connect with a licensed provider for guidance.
Get Vaccinated for HPV and Hep B
Some STIs are incurable once contracted, but vaccines are available for hepatitis B and HPV.
Stay Safe
Hopefully this guide has helped you understand that you’re at very low risk of getting an STI from a toilet seat. Staying informed, practicing safe sex, and getting tested regularly are key steps in protecting your sexual health.
If you have questions about symptoms, exposure, or treatment options, you can explore online care options and, if appropriate, connect with a licensed provider for next steps.
- STDs in Older Adults
- STD Rates by State
- Questions to Ask Your Gynecologist
- STI Statistics for College Students
- STD Testing Process
- Dating with STDs
Article Sources
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). World Health Organization. URL. Accessed May 8, 2022.
- Trichomoniasis: Is it always sexually transmitted? Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS. URL. Accessed May 8, 2022.
- Trichomoniasis Overview. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. URL. Accessed May 19, 2022.
- Sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Office of Women’s Health. URL. Accessed May 15, 2022.
- Trichomoniasis – CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed May 8, 2022.
- Frequent Questions About Hand Hygiene. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed May, 8 2022.
- Hepatitis B Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed May 8, 2022.
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