Can you get a bladder infection from a dirty toilet?

It is not impossible to get a bladder infection (urinary tract infection or UTI) from using a dirty toilet, although the risk is generally very small.

Only if you come into direct contact with the toilet seat or other contaminated surfaces can bacteria such as E. coli be transferred from the toilet to your skin and possibly end up in your urinary tract. There is a particular risk if the genitals come into direct contact with the toilet.

Poor hand hygiene after using a dirty toilet can also lead to bacterial transmission. If you do not wash your hands properly after using the toilet, bacteria can be transferred to the urinary tract through contact. When flushing a toilet without a lid, small droplets of water containing bacteria can splash around and end up on the skin or clothing. If these bacteria come into contact with the urinary tract, they can cause an infection.

The most common cause of a bladder infection is a bacterial infection, usually caused by E. coli, which normally lives in the intestines. These bacteria can migrate from the anus to the urethra (urinary tract) and then to the bladder.

Women have a shorter urethra than men, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Sexual activity can introduce bacteria into the urethra, increasing the risk of a bladder infection. Failure to empty the bladder completely can lead to bacterial growth and infection.

Source: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults?dkrd=hiscr0045

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-04 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024