Swimming And Infections by Jane Thurnell-Read

Swimming is a great way to enjoy yourself and stay healthy, but some people contract a recreational water illness. The problem is that germs can contaminate swimming water even if it is treated with chlorine. Learning about recreational water illnesses (RWIs), which are spread by swimming in contaminated recreational waters such as swimming pools and waterparks, can protect you from illness and help keep swimming pools hygienic.

RWIs are caused by germs. The most common are:

• Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium)
• Giardia
• E. coli
• Shigella

These organisms are spread by accidentally swallowing water that has been contaminated with fecal matter. How does a pool get contaminated? You share the water with everyone in the pool. If someone with diarrhea contaminates the water, swallowing the water can make you sick.

Germs causing RWIs are killed by chlorine, but unfortunately chlorine doesn’t work right away. It takes time to kill germs and some germs like Crypto are resistant to chlorine and can live in pools for days. That is why even the best maintained pools can spread illness. Therefore, Healthy Swimming behaviours are needed to protect you and your children from these germs.

Here are 6 ways you can help promote healthy swimming:

1. Don’t swim when you have diarrhea. This is especially important for kids in diapers. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.

2. Don’t swallow the pool water. In fact, avoid getting water your mouth.

3. Practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing nappies/diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

4. Take your children on bathroom breaks or change nappies/diapers often. Waiting to hear “I have to go” may mean that it’s too late.

5. Change nappies/diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and spread illness.

6. Wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming. Everyone has invisible amounts of fecal matter on their bottoms that end up in the pool.