People are worried about getting chlamydia from the gym.

Doctors are currently reassuring individuals that there is no possibility of catching a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) from gym equipment. It is always important to take precautions when it comes to protecting ourselves from STIs, but we must also be careful not to let caution turn into irrational fear. Recently, there has been a trend on TikTok where people are convinced that they can contract chlamydia from gym equipment. This has led to videos of people obsessively sanitizing gym benches and weights, which have gained hundreds of thousands of likes.

One particular video captioned, "Keep seeing those TikToks where people are getting chlamydia on their face after touching gym machines," has received 149,000 likes. It's safe to say that this is more of a mass panic than a well-researched analysis. But where did this hysteria come from?

Back in 2023, a fitness influencer named Jayden took to the platform to warn people against using towels that had been placed on gym seats to wipe their faces. He claimed that after being diagnosed with chlamydial conjunctivitis, an infection that affects the eyes, it could only be traced back to people not wearing underwear while working out. In his video, Jayden recounted his conversation with the doctor who said, "Mate, you've just been doing the nasty." Despite Jayden's claims, it's important to note that this is not a common way to contract chlamydia.

Now, a year later, this story has resurfaced and people are panicking. Many are commenting on videos about the topic, expressing their fear and concern. Some have even said that gyms should require individuals to get tested before signing up. Others have even decided to invest in their own gym equipment to avoid the risk of contracting an STI.

However, the truth of the matter is that it is not possible to catch an STI from gym equipment, as confirmed by TikTok doctors like ER doctor Joe. He explained that STIs are primarily spread through sexual contact, not casual contact or touching surfaces. He also reminded viewers to be cautious of other infections that can be spread through shared gym equipment, such as MRSA, ringworm, and skin warts caused by HPV.

To clarify, Dr. Suzanne Wylie, a GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, stated that the likelihood of contracting chlamydia from gym equipment is almost zero. The bacterium responsible for chlamydia does not survive well outside of the human body, and even in hypothetical scenarios where someone sat on a gym stool without wearing underwear and left bodily fluids behind, the risk of transmission would still be very low. The bacteria need a warm, moist environment and direct contact with mucous membranes to spread.

While it is unlikely to contract an STI from gym equipment, it is still important to take precautions to prevent other infections. This includes wiping down equipment before and after use, using a towel as a barrier between yourself and shared surfaces, regularly washing hands, covering wounds, and avoiding sharing personal items like towels and water bottles.

In summary, chlamydia is a common STI that is primarily spread through unprotected sexual contact. Therefore, there is no need to fear catching it from gym equipment. However, other infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses can be transmitted through shared gym equipment, so it is important to maintain good hygiene practices. So don't stop sanitizing your gym equipment, as it could protect you from other infections you definitely don't want. Do you have a story to share? Feel free to reach out to us by email.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]