Bathroom Safety Tips

While you can’t catch a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) from a toilet, bathrooms are home to many diseases and germs, according to President of the American Society for Microbiology, Dr. Abigail Sayers. E.Coli, Streptococcus (strep throat), and Staphylococcus (staph infection) can all be found hiding in restrooms. However, these germs don’t live long on the toilet. While your chances of getting staph from the bathroom are slim — the fewer surfaces you touch, the better. According to the Baseline of Health Foundation, the biggest risk for bathroom germs involves touching a surface laden with bacteria. Faucet handles, soap dispensers, door handles, sink surfaces, the flushing handle on the toilet — all of these may harbor colonies of infectious organisms.