Why Texting On The Toilet Can Make You Sick

What’s gonna make you run to the bathroom faster than a hungry cheetah running after a gazelle?

Germs that took a ride on your cell phone with you while you were texting on the toilet.

As a superhero, it’s our job to get to know those evil villains also known as bacteria, germs, and viruses. You know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The same thing goes for the evil triplets – bacteria, germs, and viruses.

Okay, I know you and I really don’t want to know them on a personal level, but unfortunately one day it’s possible they may show up unexpectedly at your front door, kinda like the annoying neighbor who always wants to borrow a single packet of Sweet n Low.

Times like this, I’d rather it be the neighbor knocking at the door.

The first line of defense in protecting ourselves and our loved ones is to learn about the enemy.

This is the same bacteria that hitchhike on your cell phone while you’re busy texting on the toilet.

These microscopic little turds are our sworn enemy and we need to squash them before they take over our bodies. Sort of like space invaders, only worse.

Texting on the toilet can lead to introducing some nasty germs into your body.

Why?

I can’t believe you just asked me that. Before I get all technical and scientific on you, let me just say it like it is.

The toilet is a hotbed of germs. What exactly do you do when you’re on the bowl? Knit a scarf? Nuff’ said, right?

Now that we’re on the same page;

Did you know?

There are microscopic poop particles that like to leave the toilet after your flush? Yes-sir-ree-bob it does. Most of us never put down the lid before we flush (if you do, KUDOS to you, you’re my new BFF). Think about when you’re using a public toilet or even the one at work. There are no lids to put down.

These poop particles are floating around in the environment looking for a place to land. Since I’m going to be all scientific in a few minutes; just remember; what goes up, must always come down.

For argument sake, let’s say you contracted a wicked case of salmonella. You’re doubled over in pain pooping your brains out, but your trusty cellphone is just hanging out either on your lap, in your hands or on the bathroom counter.

So now, you’re done doing your business, you wipe, you grab your phone, you wash your hands, you pick up your phone.

See what I’m getting at? You just transferred the nasty germs that are probably on your phone back to your nice clean hands.

Guess what my friend? You just did something called cross-contamination.

Just to be clear, the germs I am mentioning below all-cause foodborne illness. However, I am mentioning them in relation to this article because what we eat and what we do after we eat is all tied into each other.

You eat. You poop. You take your cell phone into the bathroom. And so the vicious cycle begins again.

Please be advised, the information I’m about to give should not in anyway freak you out and make you want to sell your home to live in a bubble; but rather, I want to keep you informed.

A few years back I asked a coworker of mine to swab my phone to see if it was contaminated with bacteria. I was totally shocked when he told me E. Coli, Shigella and Cryptosporidium were all present on my phone.

If these were on my phone, I’m fairly sure there’s a strong possibility they’re on your cell phone as well.

Introducing our arch-nemesis. The evil bacteria, germs, and viruses. Feel free to boo and hiss at them.

E. Coli

There are 2 forms of E. Coli, but for argument sake, we’re gonna lump them both in together. E. Coli lives in our intestines and the intestines of animals. Although most of it is harmless some types can make you really sick causing one to have bloody diarrhea and can possibly lead to kidney failure and/or death. E. Coli comes from contaminated food, especially undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized juice, raw fruits, raw sprouts.

E. Coli is really ticking me off more than any other bacteria simply due to the fact I can’t get a decent package of romaine lettuce at the grocery store. I’m not sure why only romaine lettuce is having issues with E. Coli, but someone needs to do something about it. I’m getting cranky not being able to eat my favorite lettuce.

Shigella

Shigella is found in human feces (aka poop, doody, bowel movements, etc). Unfortunately, poor hand-washing techniques or lack of handwashing leads to this strain of bacteria to end up in our food. Most times Shigella is found in salads and sandwiches due to the fact this type of food preparation involves a lot of hand contact. This is why most foodservice organizations require their staff to use food preparation gloves.

Here’s a gross fact for you!

Just because there are signs for staff members to wash their hands after leaving the bathroom, not everyone does that. Don’t believe me? I worked in many hospitals and my current office, you hear the toilet flush and the door opens 2 seconds after. GROSS!

Did I mention I work in a doctor’s office? Just another reason you may want to read 7 Surprising Ways To Prevent Getting Sick At The Doctors.

Children between the ages of 2 and 4 are more susceptible to contract Shigella. Symptoms include abdominal cramping, fever, bloody or mucus-filled diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that is passed on through the feces of an animal or person, due to improper hand-washing. Symptoms include diarrhea, dehydration, lack of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

I mention this because the majority of people own a dog and a cat.

Cats, in particular, like to hop on the kitchen counters and sit. There are times when Fluffy came to the kitchen to investigate right after using the litter box.

Unfortunately, we can’t keep ourselves locked up in a self-contained bubble. Germs are everywhere, but if we could just be cognizant of where we put our cell phone, we may stand a better chance at contracting one of these nasty germs.

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How to sanitize your cell phone.

I recently found this really neat contraption called a Phonesoap Smartphone UV Sanitizer. It’s really cool and it’s very effective in killing the germs that are taking a ride on our phones. This may be something of interest to you. It is kinda expensive, but in my mind, it’s totally worth it.

If you don’t want to go that route you can use any of the following options.

• Buy some Clorox or Lysol wipes and wipe down the entire case and phone screen.
• Put some 70% isopropyl alcohol on a clean washcloth, and wipe the phone down really good. You can find 70% isopropyl alcohol at Walmart under the Equate label.

If you search the internet, people will say to use 60% water to 40% of isopropyl rubbing alcohol, but for the life of me, why would you want to dilute the alcohol? Basically, that just defeats the purpose.

I hope you gained a little more knowledge with regards to nasty culprits that can cause you, me, and everyone else in the free world to make a run for the border. Now, these are not the only illness-causing germs that are probably residing on your cell phone, but these will give you an idea of how unsanitary and unsafe it is to take your cell phone with you while you’re on the toilet.

Your Turn

I’d love to know if you’re going to think twice before taking your cell phone with you the next time you sit on the throne.

On a not so serious note, what would you think of the person texting you if you knew they were dropping the kids off at the pool? Share a comment below.

Until we meet again,

Stacey

sources: Mayo Clinic,  Centers for Disease Control, National Public Radio,