Can STD occur in unmarried people due to usage of same washroom as someone who has STD? In few airports the washrooms are so dirty anf might be infected due to STD infected person might have used it. If I use such washroom can I get STD?

Dr. Potnuru Srinivaasa SudhakarHomeopath30yrs exp

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There's nothing worse than desperately needing to go to the toilet when the only options are a service station or public park. You hold your breath and try not to think about the disease-causing germs that are probably crawling all over the seat and bowl – chlamydia, gonnorrhea and syphilis, to name but a few. But can you actually catch a sexually transmitted infection (STI), from a toilet seat? No you can't, according to sexual health expert Professor Basil Donovan, because even if the bacteria and viruses that can cause an STI got onto the seat, they can't survive for long after leaving the human body. As their name suggests STD Is are most commonly spread through sexual activity, including intercourse, oral sex and, in the case of some diseases such as genital warts, direct skin-to-skin contact. "There's nothing very magical about STDIs, they're fastidious bugs which don't like dry [conditions], heat, Donovan says. "Most organisms are quite fragile so don't last any more than a few minutes. Because they dry out and die. "Viruses such as warts can't get in unless there is a break in the skin, and when you have sex it induces micro-trauma and breaks the outer layer of skin, Donovan says. "If the virus was just dabbed on the outside of your skin it couldn't attach itself, Granted, if you had a cut on your bottom and there were bacteria or viruses on the seat it is theoretically possible that you could catch an STI. But Donovan says in all his years of treating patients he has never suspected a toilet seat as the source of any STI. Toilet seats are also unlikely to be the source of urinary tract infections, most commonly caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. Coli), because your urethra – the tube that connects the bladder to the genitals and can become infected – never touches the seat. Hygiene hints But while you don't need to worry about picking up an STI the next time you need to visit a public convenience, you should still think hygiene-first while in the bathroom. Washing and drying your hands after using the toilet is one of the most important factors in stopping the spread of the germs that can cause digestive diseases, such as rotavirus. Donovan says the most important habits for hygiene are: Not touching your face until you wash your hands if you have been to the toilet Washing your hands with soap Drying your hands thoroughly "Drying your hands is more important than washing them. If you wet a door knob you do a disservice to everyone because you are improving the environment in which germs can thrive, 

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