There’s nothing more refreshing than cooling off in a pool on a hot summer day. But as temperatures rise, pools and water parks tend to get increasingly crowded.
Although chemicals in water (like chlorine and bromine) kill many viruses and bacteria, some germs can still lurk in water – and it’s important to know what you can do to avoid them.
“You can get illnesses from swimming … (because of) water that’s contaminated with germs,” said Jasen Kunz, program manager for clean water in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s waterborne disease prevention branch.
Illness can also result from “contact with chemicals in the water or from inhaling chemicals that evaporate…and become gases in the air,” Kunz noted.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk of getting sick while going into the water.. We spoke to experts about the most common illnesses people can catch at the pool – and tips for avoiding them.
The most common cause of swimming-related illness outbreaks is diarrhea.
“That’s one of the reasons why, if there’s a fecal accident in a pool, there’s a protocol that lifeguards and pool operators follow before allowing people back into the water,” he explained. Dr Clare Rockassociate professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Millions of germs can end up in the water when a person with diarrhea has an accident, and other people can get sick from swallowing even a small amount, Kunz told HuffPost.
Additionally, it is not necessarily necessary for a person to have an accident in the water for others to get sick. Small particles of feces can be released from people’s bodies while swimming, so you may not even see them in the water.
According to Kunz, the most common germs you might catch are cryptosporidium, norovirus, giardia, shigella, and E. coli. Depending on the pathogen, you might experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, or stomach pain.
So why doesn’t chlorine in water kill these germs?
First of all, It is essential that swimming pools and water play areas contain the correct amount of chlorine or bromine and the correct pH, so that they can effectively prevent the spread of germs, according to the CDC.
But “people can still be exposed to germs during the time it takes for chlorine to kill the germs,” he explained. Doctor Jessica Luminfectious disease specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Cryptosporidium, also known as crypto, is particularly resistant to chlorine. According to a CDC report, it has caused 49% of infectious outbreaks in aquatic places such as swimming pools, jacuzzis and water play areas from 2015 to 2019.
“(Typically) chlorine or bromine will inactivate or kill germs in properly treated water within minutes,” Kunz said. “However, crypto… can survive for more than seven days.”
People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing a serious crypto infection, so Rock recommended they consult a healthcare professional before swimming.
You can also get an infection called swimmer’s ear.
“Swimmer’s ear is an infection caused by bacteria when pool water sits in the outer ear canal,” Rock explains.
When water sits there for a long time, it “wears away the protective wax and skin and provides a moist environment for bacteria to multiply,” according to the CDC.
This type of infection is most commonly seen in children and is not spread from person to person. Symptoms include pain, itching, redness, swelling, and discharge from the ear.
Chemicals in water can irritate your eyes and cause rashes or coughing.
“Irritation can occur when pool chlorine turns into a chemical irritant when mixed with sweat, urine and dirt,” Rock said. “When you smell ‘chlorine’ at the pool, you’re probably actually smelling these chemical irritants as they turn into gases in the air.”
These irritants, called chloramines, can cause red, itchy eyes, skin rashes, nasal irritation, coughing and wheezing, according to the CDC.
This is why it is best to shower before entering the water and never urinate in the pool. Not only do chloramines form when urine, sweat or makeup combine with chlorine, but it also decreases the amount of chlorine that can kill other germs.
In addition to chloramines, improper pH levels in a pool can lead to skin and eye irritation, Kunz said.
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But there are simple tips you can follow to avoid getting sick.
Here are some recommendations from experts who spoke to HuffPost and the CDC, on how to swim safely and prevent infections:
Visit the pool or water park before you start swimming.
It may be helpful to review pool or water park inspection reports ahead of time to identify any health or safety issues. These reports are typically available on-site or on the local health department’s website, Kunz said.
Before you get in the water, ask yourself these questions questions:Is the drain for the deep end of the pool visible? Does it appear secure and in good condition? Are there lifeguards on duty keeping a close eye on swimmers? If there are no lifeguards, do you see any safety equipment, such as a life buoy?
Avoid introducing germs into the water.
You will often see signs at the pool stating to shower before entering the water, and these should not be ignored.
“Rinsing…for just one minute will reduce most dirt or anything else on your body that uses the chlorine or bromine needed to kill…germs,” Kunz said.
Avoid getting feces into the pool, even small particles that may be on your body. If you have had diarrhea and have been diagnosed with crypto, THE CDC It is recommended to wait at least two weeks after stopping before swimming.
And while it may seem convenient, don’t pee in the pool. While the chemicals in the water usually kill any bacteria in urine, they still create chemical irritants, Rock said.
If you are swimming with babies or young children, change diapers Swimming in the pool should be avoided to avoid contaminating the water with germs, Lum said. For children who are no longer in diapers, make sure they go to the bathroom often.
Take other precautions to minimize your risks.
One of the most important things to avoid is swallowing water. Also, stay out of the water if you have an open wound or cut, Lum said. If you do go in there, the CDC suggests using a waterproof dressing to completely cover the wound.
“Notify a lifeguard if you see feces in the water,” Rock said, adding that you should also alert a lifeguard of “any respiratory, skin or eye irritation” you experience.
Once you’re done swimming, dry each ear completely to prevent swimmer’s ear.
“You can use a towel, but also pull the earlobe in different directions to get the water out,” Rock said. “(And) consider using earplugs or a swim cap to keep pool water out of the ear.”
Remember: Swimming is safe and has many benefits too.
Swimming has many benefits for adults and children, from reducing stress, improving your mood, or simply being a great source of exercise.
“When we consider recreation or activities, we balance the need for quality of life and our values with the potential risk of infection,” Lum said, noting that you can still enjoy swimming as long as you implement “measures to minimize the risk of infection.”