Why Close the Toilet Lid Before Flushing to Prevent Norovirus in Winter?

'Norovirus' Surviving Even at Minus 20 Degrees
Flushing Toilet Water Spreads 'Droplets'... Could Cause Infection

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] The number of norovirus infection cases is rapidly increasing during the winter season. This virus has a frightening survival ability, capable of living even at minus 20 degrees Celsius, and since it spreads quickly even in cold weather, special attention to personal hygiene is necessary.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of norovirus infection patients has more than doubled in just one month. The number of norovirus infection cases reported from 208 nationwide sentinel surveillance institutions increased from 70 cases during the week of November 13-19 to 156 cases during the week of December 11-17, showing a continuous rise over the past five weeks.

Norovirus infection requires particular caution in winter. This is because the virus can survive for a long time during this period and its infectivity increases. Norovirus can survive even at low temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius. According to the monthly average norovirus food poisoning statistics from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety between 2017 and 2021, 47.3% of patients occurred during the winter months from December to March.

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If infected with this virus, symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chills, and fever appear within 12 to 48 hours. Most patients recover without aftereffects, but those with weakened immune systems may experience prolonged symptoms and complications.

To prevent infection, personal hygiene rules must be followed. Specifically, these include ▲ washing hands properly with soap ▲ eating thoroughly cooked food or washing food under running water ▲ drinking boiled water ▲ disinfecting knives and cutting boards before use ▲ closing the toilet lid before flushing after defecation.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency especially emphasized closing the toilet lid when flushing after defecation because flushing can spread droplets that increase the possibility of transmission. Norovirus can also be contracted through contaminated water, seafood, and vegetables, but it is easily transmitted through contact with the feces or vomit of infected patients.

[Image source=Getty Images]

According to a study by an engineering research team at the University of Colorado Boulder, published earlier this month in the scientific journal 'Scientific Reports,' when flushing without closing the toilet lid, invisible small droplets are expelled at a speed of 2 meters per second and can rise up to 1.5 meters in height within 8 seconds.

Among these, droplet particles smaller than 5 ㎛ (micrometers; 1 ㎛ = one-millionth of a meter) can remain suspended in the air for several minutes, and if contaminated, they can cause disease infections.

Meanwhile, if norovirus infection occurs, items contaminated with the patient's feces or vomit, as well as the environment and restrooms contacted, must be disinfected. The patient's infectivity continues for at least three days after recovery. If the patient is in childcare facilities or schools, attendance or work should be restricted for at least 48 hours after symptoms disappear, and at home, it is advisable to live separately from the patient.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.