It is summer time and many families are taking their kids swimming whenever possible for some fun while getting some good exercise. Most everyone feels confident that swimming pools are always safe for swimming because they have chlorine in them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that chlorine does not kill all germs instantly and that recreational water illnesses can be picked up in swmming pools just as when swimming elsewhere.
The CDC has reported that contrary to popular opinion chlorine does not kill all germs instantly. Many germs exist which are tolerant to chlorine and which were not associated with human disease until recently. When chlorine resistant germs get into a pool it can take anywhere from minutes to days for the chlorine to kill them.
Just swallowing a little water that contains chlorine resistant germs can make you sick. The CDC states specifically that "Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans." RWIs have also been shown to be caused by chemicals in the water or chemicals which evaporate from the water and cause air quality problems indoors.
A variety of infections are reported by the CDC to be associated with RWIs including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. Diarrhea is the most common RWI and can be caused by germs such as Crypto, which is short for Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli O157:H7.
There has been a significant increase in RWI outbreaks associated with swimming in the past two decades. Crpto can stay alive for days in pools which are maintained well and has become the leading cause of swimming pool associated outbreaks of diarrheal illness. In fact from 2004 to 2008 the CDC has reported Crypto cases increased over 200%, from 3,411 cases in 2004 to 10,500 cases in 2008.
So be careful where you swim this summer. Do not swim in dirty lakes, rivers or oceans. And make certain swimming pools you swim in are maintained well with chlorine at recommended levels. The CDC reports In 2010 a study discovered that 1 in 8 public pool inspections resulted in pools being closed immediately due to serious code violations such as improper chlorine levels. So try to keep yourself and your family healthy when you swim. And if there are any signs of illness after swimming consult with your doctor right away to try to get to the bottom of the problem and remember to include recent swimming in your medical history.
Photographer: Arvind Balaraman
