You’ve most likely experienced this: Sharing a public toilet with other women, and having symptoms that you were told were ‘Toilet infection.’
No, your entire childhood isn’t a lie. But we will be debunking those ingrained myths.
Toilet infection, as the name implies, may define an infection gotten from the toilet. But how does one get an infection from sharing a toilet seat anyway?
MECHANISM OF INFECTION
As would be expected in all human beings, bacteria are present on your skin and in the gut. Infections like UTIs then happens when the bacteria on your skin travels to your urethra, causing a Urinary tract infection.
This would mean that the bacteria gotten from the acclaimed ‘toilet infection’ is just a farce because it would need to be transmitted via bodily fluids or soiled toilet seats, as it cannot survive long outside the body of the host carrier.
However, in a healthy woman’s vagina, lactobacillus bacteria help hold the fort. When women undergo hormonal changes, consume antibiotics, or have sex, the vaginal environment is altered. Other bacteria overgrow and multiply rapidly, causing an infection like Bacterial Vaginosis or the common yeast infections.
DIFFERENCE?
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis is a complex disruption of the vagina environment, caused by an imbalance in the body’s microorganisms, especially in the gut, leading to a reduction in the lactobacilli and an overgrowth of the harmful bacteria.
SYMPTOMS
Indicators of Bacterial Vaginosis could present themselves as:
- yellow, green, grey, or off-white discharge colour
- severe itching or irritation
- Fishy odour from the vagina discharge
- Burning sensation, experienced during urination
- Less viscous, watery consistency
WHO DOES IT AFFECT?
Affects only females, and it’s more pronounced in those who are sexually active.
Women may have a higher risk of this infection if they:
- are African American
- are pregnant
- don’t use condoms
- are on antibiotics
It is a point to note that often times than not, Bacterial Vaginosis is confused with Yeast infections due to their similar symptoms.
TO DIFFER;
Yeast infections are also referred to as Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) or Candida Vaginitis.
It is a vaginal fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans due to a weakened immune system or changes in the vagina’s natural environment.
SYMPTOMS
- Intense vagina and vulva itching
- Vulva redness and soreness
- Viscous discharge consistency
- White, curd-like vagina discharge
- Painful or stinging sensation during urination
- May experience painful sex
TREATMENT
Bacterial Vaginosis and Vaginal yeast infections are often treated with antibiotics and antifungal medications.
It is advised to eat probiotic-rich foods and consume a probiotic supplement.
Lifestyle changes:
- Wearing loose underwear
- Changing underclothes to cotton ones
- Cleansing with unscented soaps and unscented tampons, where possible.
On the contrary of these two with similar symptoms, sits Urinary Tract infection, another myth claimed to be ‘Toilet Infection’.
URINARY TRACT INFECTION
As explained earlier, a UTI can occur when bacteria on your skin or in your gut penetrates through your urethra and affects your Urinary tract health. This infection affects either your urethra, kidney, or bladder.
PREVALENCE
UTIs occur more often in females than in males. Most UTIs in females involve the kidneys or bladder. While in men, it involves the urethra and the prostate.
SYMPTOMS
One may experience some or all of the following:
- Painful urination
- Urethral discharge in men
- Urinary frequency and urgency
- Presence of blood, mucus, or pus in the urine (an explicit indication to visit the hospital immediately)
- Nightly urination, accompanied by lower back pain
- Flank, abdominal, or pelvic pain.
- Mild fever, nausea, or vomiting.
TREATMENT
It is highly advised to visit your healthcare provider if you experience one or more of the above-listed symptoms.
Your provider will subject you to some diagnostic tests like the Urinalysis or Urine culture test. Once positive to E. Coli, the causative organism responsible for UTIs, your provider would:
- Prescribe antibiotics like Nitrofurantoin, Ciprofloxacin, and Amoxicillin.
- Recommend Cranberry extract supplements, which help to protect your Urinary tract health.
- In complicated situations, the patient would be subjected to a surgical procedure that helps drain accumulated pus and relieve bladder blockage.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Reading thus far allows me to acknowledge your penchant for knowledge that has now been acquired.
Remember, in as much as these three infections are bound by yet similar symptoms, they are not the same, and shouldn’t be treated as such.
No, toilet infections are not real, whether they coincide with your usage of a public toilet or not. Whatever symptoms your body is showing you is as a result of the overgrowth of the already existing microorganisms you carry on your skin or in your gut.
You can only prevent these common infections by proper hygiene, supplementation, hydration, and even altering your peeing habits (that is, do not hold in your urine).
Because some antibiotic treatments were mentioned in this article, it is not an indication to purchase and consume without a proper prescription and diagnosis. Also, due to your friend being prescribed medications/antibiotics for ‘similar symptoms’ is not a free ticket to use their meds or purchase them without a proper prescription and diagnosis.
In essence, be aware and in sync with your body. Nobody knows what you feel and experience better than you do.
Your body is great and beautiful, and whatever ailment it undergoes doesn’t make you less of a human. Ensure to consume no rumours or myth about ailments without proper verification through research or your healthcare practitioner.
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