Toilet Disease In Nigeria [Causes & Cure]

Hey people, I will start by dismantling several widely spread in Nigeria myths. One of them is present in the very name of “toilet infection”. Certainly, this is not a medical term to be used. A better one would be “vaginal infections” or even STI (sexually transmitted infections). Also some people believe that the sexually transmitted infections can be likened to toilet diseases that are contacted through the toilet. This is wrong because STIs cannot be transmitted from toilet use because the viruses and bacteria causing STIs cannot survive without the human body. Thus, STIs are only contacted through unprotected sexual activities.

We are all prone to toilet diseases. Men, women, literates, illiterates, young and old make use of restrooms which expose us to infections if our hygiene is nothing to write home about. Women are more prone to these infections because most of them
sit on these toilet seats. Toilet diseases are the infections one can contact through the use of the toilet in an unhygienic way or through using dirty public toilets. Toilet diseases can be contacted from dirty toilet, toilet door knobs and handles, by touching toilet surfaces with fingers or not washing hands after using the toilet. They are referred to as "faeco-oral" diseases. The usage of toilet by several people with different backgrounds, hygiene ideas and infections makes one contact toilet infections and those with poor hygiene are more susceptible to the diseases.

The use of public toilets and pit latrines in schools, markets, restaurants, supermarkets, airports, hotels, motels and in some houses predispose people more to toilet infections. Examples are the ecoli, noro virus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, shigella bacteria, gardnerella, trichhomoniasis, influenza, and all forms of microscopic germs found on toilet seats and inside the toilets/latrines. They are harmless when they do not come in contact with the mucous membrane, which are usually transferred from the hands into the mouth, ear, nose and body.

SYMPTOMS

 This might all start with the symptoms. Some of them may include

vaginal discharge, foul smell, itching of private parts, redness, sense of discomfort in the lower part of the tammy, pain, etc. If you get one or several of these signs, the best thing to do is to see a gynecologist. It is highly advised for women to pay a visit to their physician at least once in 6 months. Do not try to deal away with the symptoms by taking pain killers or doing douching. What you can do is to end douching if you are doing it regularly. Few women know how harmful it can be. Stop using soap for the washing of the private body parts. Stop using any chemicals, wet napkins, odorants, etc. for the private hygiene.

TREATMENT

How can toilet infection be cured?

Generally, We cannot stop using public toilets, thus, the need to maintain good toilet hygiene. Toilets generally should be neat, hygienic, well ventilated and free of agents carrying diseases. They should be washed regularly with disinfectants. Wiping the toilet seat with tissues, saliva and water before sitting is very essential. Saliva contains enzymes capable of fight against bacteria and virus. The hands should be washed before and after cleaning up. The toilet seats should not be sat on directly. Tissues can be laid on, if possible, public toilets should be avoided. Students in academic hostels should take caution; personal potties should be used instead of the general toilets. Water, soaps and sanitizers should be supplied in the toilets so that people will not have the excuse of littering the rest rooms with faeces and urine. Proper flushing of the toilet and seats should be done before and after using them. Toilets at different homes should be private. Visitor’s toilets should be different from the ones for family use. More toilets should be provided by the school authorities and government for the students in universities and boarding schools and also for populace by the government. Toilets should also be gender-based. Body contact with the toilet seats, tubs, towels and all bathroom equipments in public houses should be avoided when possible. Pit latrines and public toilets should be avoided.

Fungal infection (Candida) These are treated with oral drugs or with vaginal suppositories or creams. Again, both sexual partners have to be treated, otherwise they would keep on infecting each other.

Viral vaginitis One of the widely spread viruses is papilloma (HPV). There are the drug treatments for it and in some cases surgery is required.

Bacterial vaginitis

Caused by bacteria (small ogranisms) that enter your organs and lead to infection, inflammation and a range of problems. Always should be treated with antibiotics.

Lastly, Women should take caution because they are more vulnerable to toilet diseases than their male counterparts. Women are expected to clean up with tissue paper or clean water after urinating. The cleaning must be from the vagina to the anus and not vice versa. They should not sit or stand too close to a public toilet and avoid the splashing of the water in the toilet on the vagina. Vaginal lotions both herbal and modern medicinal products.