Disinfect that toilet to keep illness from spreading, experts say

Closing the toilet lid before flushing isn’t enough to stop the spread of infectious diseases at home, researchers say.

The researchers analyzed the spread of viral particles induced by flushing a household toilet with its lid open and then closed. They found no statistical difference in the amount of virus collected from surfaces on the toilet or the nearby floor whether the toilet lid was up or down during flushing.

In other words, lowering the lid only redirects the aerosol plume and can still result in the spread of illness.

So, if someone in your home is sick – particularly with gastroenteritis symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and/or vomiting – the best way to contain the spread of infection, the researchers say, is by using a disinfectant during cleaning or before flushing. 

How effective was disinfecting the toilet before flushing? It reduced viral contamination on the toilet itself by more than 99.9% and on the brush by 97.6%.

“This study helps establish a clearer understanding of how pathogens spread and the measures we can take to break those chains of transmission,” said Tania Bubb, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. “It also underscores the importance of regular disinfection of surfaces.”

The study was published online in the American Journal of Infection Control.