How contaminated are the public pools? An expert in infectious diseases tells us about feces, urine and perspiration, warns us to the misleading smell of chlorine, and gives us some tips so we can take a dive without worrying about what is under the crystalline Blue Água.
On hot summer days, few things are more refreshing than a swim in the pool.
But have you ever wondered if the pool is as clean as crystal clear blue water makes it look?
The immunologist and specialist in infectious diseases Lisa spoonProfessor at Quinnipiac University, USA, studies how microbes spread in public spaces – and how to prevent propagation.
Cuchara teaches a discipline called “Leisure infections“, In which the Risks associated with recreational activities and discussed precautions to avoid them – careful not to turn students into germophobes.
Swimming, especially in Ppublic iscinas and water parkscauses your own Single Set of Risks – From smaller skin irritation to gastrointestinal infections, explains Cuchara in an article in.
But swimming also has a multitude of physical benefitssocial and mental health. With some knowledge and a little surveillance, we can Enjoy the water without worrying with what may be lurking under the surface.
The reality of pool microbes
Summer news headlines and social networks often highlight the “disgusting factorOf community swimming spaces. These concerns have some foundation.
The good news is that the chlorine, widely used in poolsit is effective to eliminate many pathogenic agents. The less good news is that chlorine does not work instantly – and Don’t kill everything.
All summers, US disease control and disease prevention Disease Outbreak Alerts related to swimming caused by exposure to microbes in public pools and water parks.
One of 2023 of the CDC followed more than 200 outbreaks associated with swimming pools from 2015 to 2019 throughout the United States, affecting over 3,600 people.
These outbreaks included Skin infections, breathing problemsear infections and gastrointestinal malaise. Many of the results of such infections are slight, but Some can be serious.
Microbes and disinfectants
Even in a pool properly treated with chlorine, some pathogenic agents may persist during a period that can go from a few minutes to days.
One of the most common culprits is the Cryptosporidiuma microscopic microbe that causes aqueous diarrhea. This unicellular parasite has a resistant outdoor carapace, which allows it survive in chlorine treated water up to 10 days.
o Cryptosporidium propagates when fecal matter – Often someone with diarrhea – enters the water and is swallowed by another swimmer. Even a tiny amount, invisible to the eye, can infect dozens of people.
Another common microbe is the Pseudomonas aeruginosaa bacteria that causes Jacúzi’s rash and swimmer’s otitis. Viruses such as noroviruses and adenovirus can also persist in pool water and cause disease.
Os swimmers introduce a series of body waste in the water, including sweat, urine, oils and skin cells. These substances, especially sweat and urine, interact with chlorine to form chemical by -products cloraminas that may pose health risks.
These by -products are responsible for thethat smell strong to chlorine. A clean pool should actually lack a strong odor to chlorineas well as any other smells, obviously. It is a common myth that a strong smell to chlorine is a good sign of a clean pool.
In truth, It can be a red flag which means the opposite – that water It is contaminated and perhaps it should be avoided.
How to stay safe in a public pool
Most pool -related risks can be reduced with simple precautions from both pool and swimmers. And although most pool -related diseases don’t kill usno one wants to spend the holidays or a week of beautiful summer days in the bathroom.
These 10 tips help us avoid (and propagate) pool microbes:
- Take Duche Before swimming. Rinse for at least one minute removes most of the body’s dirt and oils, which reduce the effectiveness of chlorine.
- Avoid the pool if you are sickespecially if you have diarrhea or an open wound. The microbes can spread rapidly in the water.
- Try to keep water out of the mouth to minimize the risk of eating microbes.
- Not swim if you have diarrhea to help prevent the propagation of microbes.
- If diagnosed with criptosporidioseoften called “, wait two weeks after diarrhea stops before returning to the pool.
- Do frequent breaks for the bathroom. For both children and adults, regular bath breaks help prevent “accidents” in the pool.
- Check the diapers of the hour-to-hour children and change them away from the pool to prevent fecal contamination.
- Dry your ears well After swimming to help prevent the swimmer’s otitis.
- Not swim with an open wound -Or at least make sure you are completely covered with an impermeable pensing to protect both you and others.
- Take a shower after swimming To remove microbes from your skin.
So enjoy the holidays… and give some good dives to the nearest (clean) pool).
