A recent social media query to a Spanish anesthesiologist sparked a discussion about the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A woman asked if it was possible to contract gonorrhea from sitting on a public toilet, expressing disbelief that her partner could have been unfaithful. The physician’s response quickly dispelled that concern.
The question highlights a common misconception about how STIs are spread, and understanding the actual routes of transmission is crucial for public health. According to the doctor, contracting an STI from a public restroom seat is highly unlikely. “You’re more likely to catch a cold in a public bathroom than a sexually transmitted infection,” he stated.
Even as public restrooms can harbor germs, the types of infections contracted there are different from STIs. The physician explained that three types of infections are possible in a public restroom, but none are sexually transmitted. The first is gastroenteritis, which can occur by touching contaminated surfaces and failing to wash hands thoroughly. Intestinal bacteria are the most frequent pathogens found in these environments. The second is skin infections from contact with contaminated surfaces containing fungi, viruses, or bacteria, though This represents uncommon and typically requires pre-existing skin lesions or dermatitis.
Up to Two Meters of Distance
The third potential infection is respiratory, spread through viral aerosols generated when flushing, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then not washing hands. Experts in microbiology note that any area within two meters of a toilet is filled with pathogens, some of which can survive for a considerable time on surfaces. This underscores the importance of good hand hygiene after using restrooms in bars, restaurants, or portable toilets at events.
However, contracting an STI like gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, syphilis, or trichomoniasis requires direct contact with an infected person. The pathogens that cause these infections—viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and protozoa—do not survive well outside the body or in bodily fluids. Transmission through contact with a toilet surface is considered virtually impossible. The doctor did note a theoretical possibility with the human papillomavirus (HPV), as some strains have been detected in public restrooms, but believes this route of transmission is also highly improbable.
34,8% of Spanish adolescents
aged 15 to 18 have engaged in sexual intercourse, a proportion rising to nearly half among those aged 17 and 18.
42,6% is the percentage
increase in gonorrhea cases in just two years, while syphilis infections have risen by 24%. In 2024, 42,000 modern cases of chlamydia and 37,000 of gonorrhea were detected.
The belief that STIs can be contracted from a public toilet is a common myth surrounding these diseases, often perpetuated through generations or spread on social media. Another widespread misconception is that it’s impossible to have multiple STIs simultaneously, a condition known as coinfection. “You absolutely can, and it happens. If the first infection isn’t treated properly, your immune system weakens, leaving you more vulnerable to new infections,” experts at the Red Cross explained.
The idea that hormonal birth control prevents STIs is also false. The pill only protects against pregnancy. It’s not true that you can only contract a specific STI once. “You can contract gonorrhea or syphilis, for example, receive treatment and be cured, achieving temporary immunity, but never permanent immunity. This means you can develop into reinfected with the same diseases through unprotected sexual activity.”
Condom Use Declining Among Adolescents
Condom use among Spanish adolescents during sexual intercourse has significantly declined in the last two decades. In 2002, eight out of ten young people aged 15 to 18 used condoms, whereas today, only 65% do, according to recent data from the Ministry of Health. This decline is a contributing factor to the surge in new STI cases among adolescents, prompting the Spanish government to create a dedicated website (www.puntoits.org) to help prevent and combat these diseases. The platform provides answers to frequently asked questions and debunks myths and stigmas surrounding STIs.
