Why you should never hover over a public toilet

A doctor reveals the hidden dangers of not sitting properly on a public toilet- sorry!

Heading into a public bathroom is sometimes like a game of Russian Roulette.

You know at least one stall will be nasty, but you’re hopeful it isn’t your turn to walk in and find it.

Whether you decide to hold a squat or just flat-out refuse to use one, a viral video shows people the cleanest and safest way to use a public toilet when you just gotta go.

Are you following us on TikTok? Head to Kidspot Official to watch our latest videos.

This Dr. is flushing away bad habits

Doctor Poonam Desai (an unfortunate name to feature in this particular article, we agree) took to Instagram to share the best way to sit on a public toilet, and we know many won’t like what she has to say.

“Many people tend to hover or even sit on top of the toilet seat, leading to splashing of urine and feces on the toilet seat,” she said in the viral video.

Despite many believing you’ll catch some form of nasty popping your bottom on a toilet sit, Dr Desai revealed, “It’s not very likely that you contract a disease by directly sitting on the toilet seat, it is kind of gross to sit on other people’s feces or urine”.

“I personally tend to wipe the toilet, put a toilet seat cover and then sit on the toilet,” she informed.

“The reason is if you hover on top of the toilet seat, you can actually cause a strain in your pelvic muscles and (an) incomplete empty.

“So if you want to not only be sanitary but also protect your pelvic muscles, it’s probably better for you to sit on the toilet seat.”

RELATED: Parents' hopeful hack to get bathroom cleaned mocked

"My general rule - wipe it down, put a toilet seat cover" Source: Instagram

A little extra cover

Dr Desai shared her step-by-step for when she needs to go saying, “My general rule — wipe it down, put a toilet seat cover.”

She suggested, “If all of us sat on the toilet seat using a toilet seat cover, there would be less urine and feces on the toilet seat”.

As can be expected, the comments section lit up with people worldwide weighing in on their very own public toilet rules.

“I never sat on a naked toilet seat!” laughed one.

Another warned, “The door handle is more disgusting.”

“Wish more places actually had toilet bowl covers,” added one person.

While another wrote: “Yes. Please sit down, Especially if you’re having pelvic floor issues. Men included.”

RELATED: My son was suspended for using the school loo

Diseases like norovirus, salmonella, and hepatitis A, can be traced back to public bathrooms. Source: iStock

How many germs are in public bathrooms, really?

A New York Times article revealed scientists have looked into the possible health risks in public bathrooms, shining a light on the invisible germs that can be found there. 

Erica Donner, an expert in environmental science, explained that how clean and well-ventilated a restroom is affects its safety. 

Research carried out showcased that diseases like norovirus, salmonella, and hepatitis A, can be traced back to public bathrooms.

Microbiologist Charles Gerba disclosed flushing toilets can spread tiny germ particles into the air, landing on different surfaces and making them dirty. 

While sitting on a toilet seat isn't usually risky, there are exceptions, like the chance of getting a resistant bacteria called MRSA if you have open cuts. 

Donner suggested using disinfectant wipes on toilet seats, especially if they look dirty.

They also talked about using toilet seat covers, but these may not work well if they're already dirty. 

Donner stressed the importance of washing hands because many surfaces in restrooms can have germs.

Other tips included not putting bags on the bathroom floor, keeping phones away, and touching surfaces as little as possible. Closing toilet lids before flushing was suggested to help stop germs from spreading. 

Originally published as Why you should never hover over a public toilet