Is Toilet Infection Real?

In this part of the world, most people with an undiagnosed infection quickly point fingers at the poor toilet or public toilet. Most people who itch or have unpleasant vagina odor blame it on their exposure to sharing a toilet with other people. 

For years, the public has flown with the term “toilet infection.” You can easily see someone at a pharmacy asking for toilet infection treatment. Well, thanks to the global village called the internet. Over time, public health experts have taken to different social media platforms to debunk this narrative. 

The Origin of Toilet Infection

Recently, a medical professional called Dr. Babatunde on Twitter shook this weak table many pretty and handsome Nigerians have been sitting on. It started with him saying: “Once again, a dirty toilet is not the cause of the itching and discharge. Toilet infection is a lie!”

He further reveals the origin of the term toilet infection; “those days, men will bring their wives to the hospital with recurrent infections down there after they have traveled to an unknown location. The doctors, not wanting to cause friction in the family will comment that it’s most likely a toilet infection. 

The Lie We Believed

According to Dr Babatunde, the organisms that cause these infections can’t survive on a toilet seat and need to be kept warm and transmitted from human to human. 

Vaginitis is what a lot of people call toilet infection. However, it is a misleading terminology because vaginitis has nothing to do with the toilet. 

What is Vaginitis?

Vaginitis or vaginal infection is an inflammation of the vagina that may result in itching, unusual discharge, and pain? 

Vulvovaginitis refers to inflammation of both the vagina and vulva caused by bacteria or fungi or both of them. It happens to one-third of women and it’s prevalent. It’s mostly sexually transmitted or gotten from unhygienic practices. 

He also says that there are good bacteria (normal flora) in the vagina, but once they are displaced, the bad ones come into play and cause an infection. This flora distortion may be due to several factors, including infections, hormonal changes, and inappropriate use of antibiotics. It may also be a result of vulva and vagina reactions to a foreign body. 

These conditions can result from an infection caused by organisms like bacteria, yeast, or viruses. Irritations from chemicals in creams, sprays, or even clothing that come in contact with this area can also result in vaginitis. In some cases, vaginitis results from organisms that are passed between sexual partners, vaginal dryness, and lack of estrogen. 

Types of Vaginitis

The most common types of vaginitis are:

• Candida or yeast infections
• Bacterial vaginitis
• Trichomonas vaginitis
• Chlamydia or gonorrhea 
• Viral vaginitis (herpes)
• Non-infectious vaginitis
• Atrophic vaginitis

What are the Causes of Vaginitis? 

Vaginitis has multiple causes depending on what kind of vaginitis you have. 

• Changes in the microorganisms in your vagina
• Sexually transmitted infections. Parasites, bacteria, and viruses that cause infection can pass from person to person through sexual contact
• Products with chemical irritants. Some chemicals in products commonly used for good hygiene cause harm instead. Lotions, detergents, sprays, and other products may contain chemicals that cause vaginitis
• Changing hormone levels. Drops in the amount of estrogen your body makes can cause changes to your vagina that lead to vaginitis

He closed his argument that once you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor.