[Question #13834] Toilet Seat

2 days ago

Hello,

I recently went to the bathroom in a public restroom at a doctor's office. The toilet paper that was wadded in my hand accidentally wiped the bottom of the toilet seat and I proceeded to wipe with this. Is it possible anything could have possibly been transmitted? Specifically trichomonas or any other STI/STD? I'm female.

Thanks

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 days ago

Welcome back. You have been perhaps the most frequent questioner on our forum; if I counted correctly, this is your 14th or 15th question over 8-9 years. That might be the record; if not, it's close. However, it has been nearly three years since your last question, so I'm happy to address this additional question.

You have described yourself as a health professional. In that case, from your professional training you must know that no STIs ever are transmitted by such superficial contact. Worries about public toilets and similar venues were common back in the 1800s and early 1900s, but are rare since then. In any case, nobody ever caught an STI in a public restroom unless they had sex there. I have to wonder if you have OCD of the germophobia type. In addition, the convoluted events you describe seem peculiar and unlikely. But even if the events occurred exactly as you describe, there was no risk at all. As a health professional yourself, you should be prepared to give the same advice to patients or friends who might ask you questions like this.

Please don't worry about this. If my suspicions about your psychology are correct and such thoughts are common and having a negative impact on your life, you might consider professional counseling.

Best wishes and good luck.

HHH, MD

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1 days ago

I am a HCP! The reason this increased my anxiety is because if read that trich can be transmittted from saturated surfaces. I'm sure I have some sort of OCD from a traumatic STI event. These events I described are, however, detailed and true. The toilet paper wiped the bottom of the toilet seat. To be clear you do not recommend testing?

Thanks

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 days ago

Trichomonas is transmitted only by sexual intercourse (penis in vagina). There is no risk from contact with a wet surface (if that's what you mean by "saturated") even if contaminated with genital fluid.---
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11 hours ago

Thank you, going forward, can I just apply the rule that you have to have sex to get an STI/STD? Thanks

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

5 hours ago

Yes of course. They are called sexually transmitted for good reason.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

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