[Question #8920] Accidentally sat on a train toilet
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38 months ago
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Hello and please advise: I was on an Amtrak train and although I avoid public bathrooms , I simply had to pee. While hovering over the seat trying to pee without touching the toilet, the train came to a sudden stop and I literally fell on to the seat. I quickly stood up and cleaned with a wet disinfectant wipe my thighs and buttocks but since I was in a shock, I have no idea if I came close to touching anything with my vagina. I thought at that moment I did not. I am petrified with fear that I may get something this way. How dangerous is this and should I test for anything? If Yes, when ( how much time after the accident) ? Again, I am literally petrified with fear. I have not been sexually active for years, and then this happened to me. Thank you
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
38 months ago
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Welcome back to the forum. In preparing to reply, I glanced at your two previous threads. As I think you realize, once again this is your OCD on display. There is no risk for HIV or any other STI from this event.
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To an extent, this exact question was discussed during your first thread. Here is one line from my replies, in which I advised that there is never any risk from contact with fomites (inanimate objects) or the environment: "For example, the family members of people with HIV never catch it, even after years of sharing the same toilets, kitchens, eating utensils, and often clothing." The same goes for all STIs.
The myth of catching STIs (and more recently, HIV) from using public toilets and similar events goes back a couple hundred years. It evolved because many people showed up for care of gonorrhea, syphilis or other STIs who seemed not to be at risk, especially people in monogamous marriages. It was never more than an excuse or rationalization, not wanting to acknowledge or admit sexual contact with other partners. The myth was made even worse because many doctors went along with it, rather than confronting a worried wife that her husband had not been unfaithful. That toilet seats are zero risk has been an established truth for most that time, and certainly in the last 50 years. Personally, I do not hesitate to sit on public toilet seats, without wiping or cleaning first. For esthetics, I'll wipe off visible wet fluids or other obvious contamination, but I know that from an infection risk, even this isn't necessary. Certainly the brief contact you had was even lower (below zero?) risk. Intact skin is not susceptible, and even minor skin defects (scratches, pimples, etc) convey no increased risk. And if you think about it, the susceptible tissues (e.g. labia, vaginal opening, anus) do not contact toilet seat surfaces.
So you are at zero risk for anything, no matter who (or who recently) used the toilet. You should not be tested for anything on account of this event. Please do your best not to worry about it.
My final thought is to wonder if germophobia is part of your self-admitted OCD -- i.e. inflated fear of contamination. If so, it may warrant professional attention -- with your current counselor if you have one, or to seek counseling now if not. For an excellent example of how disabling it can become, see The Aviator, the film biography of the industrialist Howard Hughes; it's readily available on various streaming services. And it's a very good movie in its own right, with Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes and Cate Blanchet as the movie star Katherine Hepburn.
I hope these comments help you move on without worry. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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38 months ago
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Dear Dr. Handsfield, firstly let me say I am so happy that you happened to get to my question because you know me from last year. Secondly , I cannot thank you enough! I appreciate the length of your reply, your compassion and how detailed your response was, but I have to say that you reassuring me by sharing with me that you would most of the time sit on the toilet, was that point after which I have no reason to worry! I cannot tell how much that small but so precious personal remark helped me!!! Btw, the seat had nothing on it and felt completely dry. But this what I want to say: You are , beside being an superior expert in the field, obviously an amazing , compassionate human being, and that is not ordinary thing..I know my OCD is raging and I have been trying to do something serious about it. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
38 months ago
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Thank you for those very kind comments. But let me assure you that the other two moderators are equally knowledgeable and experienced, Ms. Warren in herpes and Dr. Hook in regard to all issues for HIV and all STIs.
I'm glad to have helped. Threads remain open for clarification if necessary (but not for new issues, please); I'll leave open for a while, or can close it if you're confident you won't require more information on these issues.
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38 months ago
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Dr. Handsfield, the reason I panicked so badly was because the previous night, when I was washing myself, I did it too vigorously ( yet another consequence of my germaphobia), so I scratched my vagina just a tiny bit; but, of course, when the toilet seat thing happened the next day, my first thought was : Oh my God, I have this tiny scratch!and something can enter through that! However, as you said, my vagina did not touch anything. Again, thank you so very much, and if you think that makes no difference whatsoever, that is it for me.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
38 months ago
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This makes no difference whatsoever! Do consider counseling for your OCD/germophobia. In the meantime, try not to worry: focus not he left half (intellectual) side of your brain and understanding, and telll the emotional (right) side to go ***k itself!
Best wishes and stay safe. Best wishes.
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