Antibiotic resistant E. coli is more likely spread through poor toilet hygiene rather than consuming undercooked food, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of East Anglia found that the "great majority" of so-called "superbug" strains of E.
The warm and humid environment typically found in bathrooms provides a perfect setting for the survival of microorganisms. Many of these pathogens, like E. coli, can survive on environmental surfaces for weeks or even months.
E. coli are bacteria found in the intestines of people and animals and in the environment; they can also be found in food and untreated water. Most E. coli are harmless and are part of a healthy intestinal tract.
E. Coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus Aureus are three of the biggest bathroom culprits. These germs and bacteria are found across bathroom surfaces like toilets, bathroom floors and shower curtains.
However, even if there are fewer of them, you may still encounter various germs on your toilet seat including fecal bacteria, influenza, streptococcus, E. coli, hepatitis, MRSA, salmonella, shigella and norovirus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fecal bacteria can spread and make people sick if you use the toilet and don't wash your hands. Still, scientists agree that there's little need to worry about bathroom germs.
Bacteria generally do not survive well under conditions of desiccation; however, Newsom (1972) demonstrated the survival of Salmonella on surfaces for up to 9 days, Escherichia coli for up to 8 days, and Shigella for up to 5 days in faeces dried onto toilet seats.
Studies have shown that of all the surface areas in the bathroom, the floor is by far the dirtiest. That's because when we flush the toilet germs spread everywhere, and land on—you guessed it—the floor.
Of all the surfaces, the door handle was the least infected before cleaning, with just 0.9% of its surface showing bacteria, while the most infected was the shower tray, with a troubling 72% of its surface covered in pathogens.
Once a week at least.
Tetro says your bathroom is the ultimate bacteria host; E. coli can be found within six feet of the toilet and in the sink. To keep it at bay, disinfect the toilet and sink at least once weekly, and the bathtub every two weeks — more if you shower often.
E. coli bacteria can easily travel from person to person, especially when infected adults and children don't wash their hands properly. Family members of young children with E. coli infection are especially likely to get it themselves.
Each year in the United States, E. coli infections cause approximately 265,000 illnesses and about 100 deaths.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally fever. About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea. People usually notice symptoms 3 to 4 days after they have been infected. But symptoms can start any time between 1 and 14 days afterwards.
'Soap doesn't kill anything'
It's not intended to kill microorganisms,” Claudia Narvaez, food safety specialist and professor at the University of Manitoba, explained to CTVNews.ca. “It will kill some bacteria, but not the ones that are more resistant to environmental conditions, like salmonella or E. coli.”
coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus can survive and persist for up to 16 days on a kitchen sponge and up to 13 days on microfiber towels.
In a word, no. According to James Rogers, Ph. D., director of Food Safety and Research at Consumer Reports, if E. coli (or any other type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning) is present in your produce, washing it won't remove all of those organisms.
Scrub showers, bathtubs, and countertops.
These should be cleaned to help reduce the spread of viruses, fungi, and bacteria. "Do it at least twice a week with a disinfectant that contains bleach," Horowitz says.
Holderman suggests disinfecting the shower walls, basin, and curtain or door after every use with disinfecting wipes or spray to kill everything. “The next best thing is squeeging or leaving the curtain or door open, to allow for faster dry time, which also prevents fungus and mold from growing.”
Scientists at the University of Arizona have found that cell phones carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats.
Toilet Brush
Toilet brushes keep your toilet clean, but can host a lot of bacteria and residue. Plastic toilet brushes should be replaced every six months, but you can extend the life of your cleaning brush if you opt for a sustainable wood version.
Think the toilet is the dirtiest spot in the house? You'd be wrong. "There's more fecal bacteria in your kitchen sink than there is in a toilet after you flush it," said microbiologist Charles Gerba, known as "Dr. Germ."
According to studies, the middle stalls are to be avoided if possible. Apparently, people tend to choose the middle one because of the “centrality preference.” On the other hand, the first stall, which is the least used, is likely to be the cleanest.
E. Coli is not spread by coughing, kissing, or through normal, everyday interactions with friends or neighbours. However, once someone has consumed contaminated food or water, this infection can be passed from person to person by hand to mouth contact.
Norovirus—which spreads via droplets in the air when somebody vomits before landing on surfaces—can survive for a few days to a few weeks on hard surfaces. E. coli can live for a few hours to a day outside of the human body.
Symptoms usually begin 2 to 5 days after exposure to the bacteria. Sometimes people infected with E. coli O157 have no symptoms at all, but can still pass the bacteria to others. In some people, especially in children under 5 years old and the elderly, E.