# What diseases can you catch from toilet seats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [February 19, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817 "2007-02-19T16:06:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![misstenacity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/848f3c/32.png) [@misstenacity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstenacity)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/1 "2007-02-19T16:06:29Z")
Regarding “[The public toilet seat question](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mtoilet.html)”, and this quote: “You can get cooties, and that’s about it.” … um, no, you actually can’t even catch cooties. Or, let me rephrase that and say you are EXTREMELY, HIGHLY unlikely to catch cooties, let alone anything else. See the article on MedicineNet: [all about pubic lice](http://www.medicinenet.com/pubic_lice_crabs/article.htm) So ladies, and everyone else, please, please, PLEASE stop squatting over the seat… that’s far more messy and potentially unsanitary to the next person than just plonking your butt down. Oh, and don’t use your SHOE to flush, either. Not everyone does this and I’d rather touch a “normally” dirty flush lever than one with stuff all over it from the bottom of everyone else’s shoes. Use your hands and then WASH your hands with SOAP afterwards and you won’t die. I promise. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/2 "2007-02-19T16:12:11Z")
[QUOTE=misstenacity] Or, let me rephrase that and say you are EXTREMELY, HIGHLY unlikely to catch cooties, let alone anything else. [/QUOTE] \*: waggles fingers at **misstenacity** : : runs away giggling :\* ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/3 "2007-02-19T16:14:35Z")
Thank you, **misstenacity**. It probably won’t change many people’s opinions, but it needed to be said. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/4 "2007-02-19T17:52:59Z")
A local hardware store has a sign that tells customers that toilet seats are not returnable. Bleeech. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/5 "2007-02-19T17:59:53Z")
Lice are very easily if not commonly spread in communal type arrangements via Public restrooms, in particular toilet seats. Barracks, Gyms, Schools, etc. Don’t let anyone fool ya. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/6 "2007-02-19T18:14:08Z")
[QUOTE=Common Tater] Lice are very easily if not commonly spread in communal type arrangements via Public restrooms, in particular toilet seats. Barracks, Gyms, Schools, etc. Don’t let anyone fool ya. [/QUOTE] Did you **read** the [link](http://www.medicinenet.com/pubic_lice_crabs/article.htm) that **misstenacity** cited? ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/7 "2007-02-19T18:19:39Z")
[QUOTE=Common Tater] Lice are very easily if not commonly spread in communal type arrangements via Public restrooms, in particular toilet seats. Barracks, Gyms, Schools, etc. Don’t let anyone fool ya. [/QUOTE] I think you are confusing cooties (lice in pubic hair) with [head lice.](http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html) Head lice are indeed highly contagious, but even head-lice one doesn’t catch through toilet seats. ---
**Author:** ![Outpits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4bbf92/32.png) [@Outpits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Outpits)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/8 "2007-02-19T18:26:21Z")
Not to put words in the mouth of the Master, but I don’t think Cecil was referring to body (or pubic) lice when he used the word “cooties”. Cecil knows it is highly unlikely you can get lice from public toilet seats. Cecil was undoubtedly referring to the more charming definition of cootie: “a children’s term for an imaginary germ or repellent quality transmitted by obnoxious or slovenly people.” (New Oxford American Dictionary 2nd ed.) ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/9 "2007-02-19T18:28:22Z")
I stand corrected. “Cooties” is indeed a non-scientific term. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/10 "2007-02-19T22:10:50Z")
Please note that the link is to a Staff Report, written by our dear **Jill** , and not by Cecil Hisself. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2007, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/11 "2007-02-20T04:54:37Z")
One can certainly get sexually transmitted diseases on a toilet seat, but it isn’t a very comfortable place to have sex.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2007, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/12 "2007-02-20T08:40:34Z")
[QUOTE=misstenacity] Oh, and don’t use your SHOE to flush, either. Not everyone does this and I’d rather touch a “normally” dirty flush lever than one with stuff all over it from the bottom of everyone else’s shoes. [/QUOTE] So use your shoe. If I’m in a public restroom, I may be wearing a coat or have other items I’m trying to not drop or have fall into the water. I’m not about to bend over to reach those stupid industrial flush levers they place so far behind and to the side and which are often wet with condensation, thanks. Besides, some toilets splash up as they flush and others get feisty and overrun and I’m dressed and poised to beat it out of there as soon as the flush begins so I can avoid either situation. (No, they don’t go over the top because of me. Hmph.). Go ahead. Do it with your shoe. It’s good exercise. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/13 "2007-02-20T18:03:02Z")
[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster] So use your shoe. [/QUOTE] I would not could not with my shoe I would not could not with my poo The leggy flush is nicht sehr gut So tell me not to use my foot! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2007, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/14 "2007-02-20T18:42:11Z")
Back in the 1970s, ABC ran a special on VD, hosted by Dick Cavett. DC:(holding a toilet seat) “It’s not true that you can catch VD from a toilet seat. Let’s get rid of that myth right now” (Tosses Toilet Seat offstage.) Voice from Offstage: “Owwww!” DC: “But you CAN catch other things from toilet seats. That man caught a broken toe from one.” Ba-da-bomp! Tssssh! ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/15 "2007-02-28T11:51:19Z")
[QUOTE=vetbridge] A local hardware store has a sign that tells customers that toilet seats are not returnable. Bleeech. [/QUOTE] Yeah, bleeech would sanitise the seat for certain. You think that’s bad? I wandered into a dippy-psychic shop once and saw a sign over a case of Tarot decks that said “Owing to the personal nature of these items, we regret that they may not be refunded once sold”. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/16 "2007-02-28T13:58:14Z")
> [@](#): > > You think that’s bad? I wandered into a dippy-psychic shop once and saw a sign over a case of Tarot decks that said “Owing to the personal nature of these items, we regret that they may not be refunded once sold”. Remember – Once you’ve achieved Oneness with a Deity, you’ve also achieved Oneness with all the people that Deity has achieved Oneness with. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/17 "2007-02-28T18:12:04Z")
If it’s true that [QUOTE=misstenacity] … um, no, you actually can’t even catch cooties. Or, let me rephrase that and say you are EXTREMELY, HIGHLY unlikely to catch cooties, let alone anything else. [/QUOTE] then why do you care that it’s [QUOTE=misstenacity] …potentially unsanitary to the next person than just plonking your butt down. [/QUOTE] Doesn’t “unsanitary” mean “has germs on it”, or is there some meaning with which I am not accustomed? Sailboat ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/18 "2007-03-02T08:00:05Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] Remember – Once you’ve achieved Oneness with a Deity, you’ve also achieved Oneness with all the people that Deity has achieved Oneness with. [/QUOTE] … so THAT is what they meant by witches and orgies! ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/19 "2007-03-02T12:40:01Z")
[QUOTE=Sailboat] Doesn’t “unsanitary” mean “has germs on it”, or is there some meaning with which I am not accustomed? Sailboat [/QUOTE] Yes, it means “has germs on it”. As **misstenacity** said, squatting over the toilet seat will likely leave the toilet seat a lot more unsanitary than sitting on it, for the simple reason that it’s a lot more likely you’ll be a lousy shot if you’re hovering than if you’re plunked down on it. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817/20 "2007-03-18T23:30:54Z")
My dad said that the only people who get VD from toilet seats are preachers. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-diseases-can-you-catch-from-toilet-seats/392817.md?page=2)