Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Recreational Water Illnesses
Swimming is a popular, fun summer activity with health benefits for people of all ages. It is important to remember, however, that pools and other types of recreational water venues can be places where germs can spread.
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 oceans1. RWIs can include infections of the skin, eye, ear, respiratory, neurologic and gastrointestinal system. The most common type of RWI is diarrhea, which can be caused by germs such as Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium) Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli 0157:H7. Other infections include Legionella, Hot Tub Rash, Swimmers Ear and MRSA.
Swimmers and individuals playing in interactive fountains and spray parks share the water with everyone. People with diarrheal illness who swim can quickly contaminate the water with millions of germs. Even water that is properly chlorinated can be potentially harmful as it can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days to remove some types of illness-causing organisms from the water. Swallowing even a small amount of recreational water that has been contaminated with feces-containing germs can make you sick.
Fortunately there are steps that everyone can take to help keep recreational water safe.
Three Steps for All Swimmers
Keep germs from causing recreational water illnesses (RWIs):
- Don’t swim when you have diarrhea.
- Don’t swallow pool water.
- Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming, and wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
Don’t swim when you have diarrhea. Three Steps for Parents of Young Children
Keep germs out of the pool:
- Take kids on bathroom breaks and check diapers often.
- Change diapers in a bathroom or diaper-changing area – not at the poolside.
- Wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming.
Additional information about RWIs and other swimming related issues can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/
1Recreational Water Illness and Injury (RWII) Prevention Week. (2011). Retrieved June 10, 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/features/RWIs/
Healthy Swimming Brochure
Updated: 06/13/2011