Swimming pools offer a refreshing escape, but can also be a source of health concerns if not properly maintained. These health issues are often called Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs), stemming from germs and chemicals in the water. Understanding these potential risks is important for an overall safer experience. This article informs readers about common pool-related illnesses and how to prevent them, highlighting that most are preventable through awareness and good practices.
Gastrointestinal Illnesses
Diarrheal diseases are common illnesses acquired from swimming pools, primarily spread when swimmers ingest water contaminated with fecal matter. Cryptosporidium (Crypto) is a persistent parasitic threat. Its tough outer shell allows it to survive for days even in properly chlorinated pools. A single diarrheal incident from an infected person can introduce millions of Crypto germs, and swallowing even a small amount can lead to illness. Crypto can cause watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever, with symptoms typically appearing 2 to 10 days after infection and lasting for weeks.
Giardia is another common parasitic cause of diarrheal illness. It also has a protective outer shell, enabling it to survive in chlorinated water for up to 45 minutes. Like Crypto, Giardia is spread by swallowing contaminated water. Symptoms of giardiasis include watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, gas, and fatigue, sometimes lasting two weeks or more. Bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7 and Shigella, along with Norovirus, can also cause gastrointestinal issues if introduced into pool water.
Skin and Ear Conditions
Exposure to pool water can lead to various external infections, particularly affecting the skin and ears. “Swimmer’s ear” (otitis externa) is a common infection often caused by bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This condition results from water becoming trapped in the ear canal, creating a moist environment conducive to bacterial growth, leading to pain, itching, and sometimes discharge.
“Hot tub rash” or folliculitis is another skin condition frequently caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, thriving in warm, moist environments like hot tubs and swimming pools. This infection manifests as itchy, red bumps or pus-filled blisters around hair follicles, often appearing where swimwear holds water against the skin. Symptoms typically develop within hours to a few days after exposure and may be accompanied by general malaise, fever, or headache in some cases. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot or ringworm can also spread in communal wet areas around pools.
Respiratory and Eye Ailments
Swimming pools can contribute to respiratory and eye irritations and infections. Eye infections such as conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, can result from exposure to contaminated pool water or irritation caused by chemical imbalances. Chlorine in pool water can disrupt the eye’s natural tear film, leading to dryness and irritation, which may increase susceptibility to infections.
Respiratory issues can arise from inhaling chloramines, which are chemical irritants formed when chlorine reacts with bodily fluids such as sweat, dirt, and urine from swimmers. These chloramines can become airborne, causing coughing, wheezing, nasal irritation, and difficulty breathing, and can even trigger asthma attacks in susceptible individuals.
Preventing Pool-Related Illnesses
Preventing pool-related illnesses requires a collective effort from swimmers and pool operators. Swimmers play a primary role by practicing good hygiene. Showering for at least one minute before entering the water removes most dirt, sweat, and other substances that react with chlorine, helping to keep the water cleaner. It is also important to avoid swimming when experiencing diarrhea, as this is a common way germs like Cryptosporidium and Giardia contaminate the water.
Swimmers should refrain from urinating or defecating in the pool and avoid swallowing pool water. For young children, frequent bathroom breaks and changing diapers away from the poolside are important steps to prevent contamination. These actions reduce the introduction of germs into the water, allowing disinfectants to work more effectively.
Pool operators and owners also have responsibilities in maintaining water quality. Ensuring proper pH levels (typically 7.2-7.8) and adequate chlorine or bromine levels is essential for germ inactivation. Regular testing of these chemical levels helps ensure the disinfectant is working efficiently. Additionally, effective pool filtration systems are crucial for removing contaminants and microorganisms, especially chlorine-tolerant ones like Cryptosporidium, which are not easily killed by disinfectants alone.