Dear Dr. D,

Every time I go to the bathroom on campus, I'm afraid I'm going to get herpes or something from the toilet seat. How safe are the toilets on campus?

Worried

Dear Worried,

There is just something prophetic about starting off the new year by addressing a question about toilet seat safety on a day when there is a full moon (Jan. 3). Makes me wonder about 2007.

You know, most people are going to think you're pulling my leg by asking such a question, so let's first address the credibility of your query. The fact is, I have received numerous questions throughout the years concerned with the "possibility" of transmission of a sexually transmitted infection, or STI, by way of such things as toothbrushes, razors, towels, water fountains, bedding, shared workout equipment and even borrowed underwear (my favorite), to name a few.

This is a common question, so rest assured, your question is one that "inquiring behinds want to know."

Frankly, I am not sure what it is about toilet seats and what we do when we sit on them that seems to conjure up the worst fears in us about "catching something." Most of us have absolutely no problem high-fiving or shaking hands with 50 people each day, then sticking our hands all over our faces and into our mouths after never having washed them. "Butt" when it comes to using a public toilet seat, you hear "You're crazy, I'm not getting cooties!"

Hand-to-hand contact is what you need to focus on. It is still one of the principle routes for transmission of most bacteria and viruses — not butts.

The fact of the matter is, there are probably fewer microorganisms on the toilet seat you sit on than the desk you use at the library. This is because of both the surface environment of the object and the part of the anatomy that comes in contact with this surface. Now, before I get angry e-mails from librarians, I'm not saying you can get an STI from the desks at the library. All I am saying is that your chances of getting any infection from either is most improbable and nearly impossible. The bacteria and/or viruses that cause STIs cannot survive outside their host — the body — for any length of time. Additionally, even if they did survive, very few of them can penetrate through the skin of your thigh or buttock. The HPV virus, which is considered an STI, is a skin-to-skin mucous membrane contact virus that will not survive for very long without a welcoming environment. Toilet seats are not welcoming environments.

The infections you should be slightly more concerned about on campus are colds and flus. Touching the doorknob in the bathroom is theoretically much more risky than sitting directly on the seat. It is of utmost importance that you WASH YOUR HANDS. And I'm not just talking about immediately following your time spent in the restroom — although, yes, I am encouraging that, too. You should wash your hands using warm water and soap for at least 10 seconds, and do so often throughout the day. Colds and flus can be spread from germs on your hands coming in contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. We are in the cold and flu season, so it is imperative that you keep your hands clean.

Back to the toilet question. If you feel more comfortable sitting on a piece of toilet paper or using one of the prepared covering sheets that some restrooms provide, go for it — especially if the seat is visibly dirty. But in most cases, you are going to be just "cheeky" giving the seat the full moon. Just make sure you wash your hands before you give your next high five. Peace.

Dr. D

Dennis Martell, Ph.D., is a coordinator of Olin Health Education and writes a weekly health column for The State News. E-mail him your questions at dennis.martell@ht.msu.edu.