It might not be immediately obvious which items we’re talking about. But it’s quite simple: it’s a showerhead and a toothbrush.
Bathrooms are often thought of as the cleanest rooms in the house. A new study from Northeastern University in Boston suggests it’s time to reach for the cleaning supplies next time you’re in the bathroom.
As part of their extensive research, scientists collected samples from showerheads and toothbrushes across the United States. By sequencing the DNA from those samples, the researchers discovered 614 unique microbes in the bathroom microbiome. Among these “tiny creatures,” many were previously unknown to science, the Daily Mail reported.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Erika Hartmann, was shocked: “The number of viruses we found is simply outrageous.”
What Do Scientists Think About This?
Bathrooms are ideal environments for bacteria and viruses to multiply.
Even if you clean regularly with strong cleaning products, that doesn’t mean microorganisms are gone for good. “Microbes love water-rich environments. And where is there water? Inside our showerheads and on our toothbrushes. We found many viruses we knew little or nothing about,” said Dr. Hartmann.
Some microbes prefer toothbrushes, while others thrive in showerheads. Showerheads tended to host bacteria typically found in soil and drinking water, while toothbrushes harbored species associated with the human microbiome.
Each of these bacterial communities has its own set of viruses that infect those bacteria.
The most common viruses found were mycobacteriophages, which infect pathogenic species that cause leprosy, tuberculosis, and chronic lung infections.
Researchers reassured readers that because most of the viruses on toothbrushes and showerheads are bacteriophages, they do not infect humans. Still, many people might feel the urge to do a thorough cleaning in the bathroom.
How to Combat This?
Dr. Hartmann recommends: soak the showerhead regularly in vinegar to remove calcium deposits where bacteria thrive. Or simply wash the showerhead with soap and water.
Replace your toothbrush every two to three months so it doesn’t get too dirty. The study’s findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiomes.
