In the hot summer days, few things are more refreshing than a dip in the pool. But have you ever wondered if the pool is as clean as blue glass water appears?
As an immunologist and infectious disease specialist, study how germs spread in public spaces and how to prevent propagation. I even teach a course called “Leisure infections” where we explore the risks linked to recreational activities and discuss precautions, while we are careful not to turn students into germophobes.
Swimming, especially in public pools and aquatic parks, comes with its own unique set of risks, from lower skin irritations to gastrointestinal infections. But swimming also has a lot of physical, social and mental health benefits. With some knowledge and a little surveillance, you can enjoy the water without worrying about what could be on the stalking under the surface.
The reality of pool germs
Summer news headlines and publications on social networks often allocate the “ICK” of communal swimming spaces. These concerns have some merit.
The good news is that chlorine, which is widely used in pools, is effective in killing many pathogens. The news not so good is that chlorine does not work instantly, and does not kill everything.
Every summer, the centers for disease control and prevention problems on alerts on the outbreaks of swimming diseases caused by exposure to germs in public pools and aquatic parks. A 2023 CDC report tracked more than 200 outbreaks associated with the pool from 2015 to 2019 in the United States, affecting more than 3,600 people. These outbreaks included skin infections, respiratory problems, ear infections and gastrointestinal anguish. Many of the results of such infections are mild, but some can be serious.
Germs and disinfectants
Even in a pool that is properly treated with chlorine, some pathogens can be delayed for minutes or days. One of the most common culprits is Cryptosporidiuma microscopic germ that causes aqueous diarrhea. This unique parasite has a resistant outer layer that allows it to survive in chlorine treated water for up to 10 days. It spreads when the fecal matter, often of someone with diarrhea, enters the water and is swallowed by another swimmer. Even a small amount, invisible to view, can infect dozens of people.
Another common germ is Pseudomonas aeruginosaA bacterium that causes hydromassage bathtub and swimmer ear.
Viruses such as Norovirus and adenovirus can also be delayed in pool water and cause disease.
The swimmers introduce a variety of body waste in the water, such as sweat, urine, oils and skin cells. These substances, especially sweat and urine, interact with chlorine to form chemical by -products called chloramines that can represent health risks.
These by -products are responsible for that strong chlorine smell. A clean pool should lack a strong smell of chlorine, as well as any other smell, of course. It is a common myth that a strong smell of chlorine is a good sign of a clean pool. In fact, it can actually be a red flag that means the opposite: that the water is contaminated and may be avoided.
How to play for sure in a public pool
Most pool -related risks can be reduced with simple precautions by pool staff and swimmers. And although most pool -related diseases will not kill you, nobody wants to spend their vacations or a week of beautiful summer days in the bathroom.
These 10 tips can help you avoid germs in the pool:
- Shower before swimming. Rinse for at least one minute eliminates most of dirt and oils in the body that reduce the effectiveness of chlorine.
- Avoid the pool if you are sick, especially if you have diarrhea or an open wound. Germs can extend rapidly in water.
- Try to keep water out of your mouth to minimize the risk of eating germs.
- Do not swim if you have diarrhea to help prevent the spread of germs.
- If it is diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis, often called “cryptography”, wait two weeks after diarrhea stops before returning to the pool.
- Take frequent breaks in the bathroom. For children and adults, regular bath breaks help prevent accidents in the pool.
- Check the diapers per hour and change them from the pool to avoid fecal pollution.
- He was thorough ears after swimming to help prevent the swimmer's ear.
- Do not swim with an open wound, or at least make sure you are completely covered with an impermeable bandage to protect both of you and others.
- Shower after swimming to remove the germs of your skin.
Lisa Spoon is a professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Quinnipiac.
This article is published again from the conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the Original article.
