Squatting over a public toilet is a staple of festival season, though hovering over the seat may not be the healthiest option for you, experts say.
As the UK has been hit with a heatwave (or blessed with good weather, depending on who you’re asking ), being out and about means that you’re most likely to resort to a public toilet, or a portaloo if you’re at a festival.
Instinctively squatting over the toilet seat to avoid any contact with the surface may feel like the most sensible choice, but scientists are advising against it.
Sure, the risk of catching germs from previous toilet users is real as human faeces can carry a wide range of transmissible pathogens. Think Campylobacter, Enterococcus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Yersinia bacteria, but also viruses such as norovirus, rotavirus, and hepatitis A and E, just to name a few.
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However, the risk of catching an infection from a toilet seat is not as serious as we’ve been led to believe, and squatting could bring far more damage in the long run.
Why squatting over the toilet is worse for you
Freestone warned that not sitting down could be worse for you, as it may cause injury or even increase the risk of infection.
Women’s health physical therapist Brianne Grogan explained that hovering may lead to put a strain on the muscles of your pelvic floor and pelvic girdle, ie your hip rotators, glutes, back, and abs.
This makes it difficult for the urine to flow easily, prompting you to push to urinate faster, contributing to pelvic organ prolapse.
Additionally, squatting could mean you’re not emptying your bladder properly, said Grogan. This could ultimately cause increased frequency and urgency of urination, or even increase likelihood of a bladder infection.
That’s because squatting can weaken the muscles in the pelvic floor, increasing the risk of a pelvic floor dysfunction linked to UTIs and incontinence, according to Health.com.
Can you catch something from sitting on a toilet?
According to Dr Primrose Freestone, a clinical microbiologist from the University of Leicester, developing an infection from sitting down on a toilet seat is unlikely.
Most intestinal diseases involve hand-to-mouth transfer of bacteria as a result of faecal contamination of hands, food and surfaces, Freestone explained in The Conversation. Not just that, but human skin is covered by a layer of bacteria and yeast which functions as a protective shield, working with your immune system to protect you from pathogens.
So, what should you do to prevent any toilet contamination?
In short, it’s always recommended to sit down to do your business, but there are some useful tips you can follow to avoid contamination.
You can select a stall that looks cleaner, opting for the first or last as they tend to be used less than the ones in the middle.
You can also carry with you sanitising wipes to wipe down the toilet seat, use a seat cover if available or create a ‘barrier’ of toilet paper to sit on.
It’s advisable to not put bags or coats on the floors or hooks and to always close the lid when flushing.
A 2011 study found that when the toilet is flushed, microbes in the water droplets quickly settle over a wide area, which includes the toilet lid, door, floor and the toilet paper holder. This germ-heavy mist includes your germs and those of previous toilet users, which is why it’s always best to close the lid to flush and then leave the cubicle immediately after you press the button.
But perhaps the most important rule of it all is to always, always wash your hands thoroughly after a toilet visit. Lather your hands with soap and water and wash them for at least 20 seconds, then dry them completely. Use hand sanitiser when soap and water aren’t available.
To avoid re-contamination on your way out, use paper towel, your elbow or your coat sleeve to open the toilet door.
These tips should keep you safe from the risk of infection, and save your pelvic muscles an unnecessary effort.
Stefania Sarrubba