A poll found that 90% of Americans regularly use their phones while on the toilet, according to the research journal Study Finds . Worse yet, this habit could expose people to deadly germs.
Risk of infection with dangerous pathogens
Toilets are often damp places, making them ideal for germs to grow. Using your phone in the toilet allows bacteria to stick to your phone, creating a cycle of infection: from phone to hand, to mouth, and then to your body.
The bacteria commonly found on toilet seats is Staphylococcus aureus.
Common bacteria found in toilets include: Hepatitis A, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus causing respiratory diseases, norovirus, E. coli causing diarrhea and vomiting, Staphylococcus causing skin infections, as well as Actinobacteria causing tuberculosis and diphtheria, Citrobacter causing urinary tract infections, Enterococcus causing meningitis...
In addition, toilets also contain common cold viruses that can cause long-term health effects.
What’s more, research has found that many of the germs on phones are often antibiotic-resistant, meaning they can’t be treated with common antibiotics. This is worrying because these bacteria can cause skin infections, diarrhea, sinus infections, and can be life-threatening.
Increased risk of hemorrhoids
The US study found that 75% of people admitted to spending longer on the toilet because they were looking at their phones. 53% also said their legs and buttocks felt numb from sitting for too long, according to Study Finds.
Need to stop the habit of using the phone while going to the toilet
Sitting for long periods of time increases the risk of hemorrhoids as it puts extra pressure on the rectum, according to the Times of India.
Clean your phone
The study also found that even if you wipe your phone with antibacterial wipes or alcohol, it can still be contaminated with microorganisms. Therefore, it is necessary to clean your phone daily, using a 70% alcohol wipe to clean it. Avoid spraying disinfectant directly on the phone, according to the news site The Conversation (Australia).
Avoid taking your phone to the toilet for more than 15 minutes because it will turn your phone into a hotbed of harmful bacteria and cause many diseases for the body...
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