Spreading Illness at the Pool: Learn to Stay Clean and Safe
Swimming and other water activities are a great way for families to stay active and spend some quality time together. After arriving at the pool you take notice of the lifeguards sitting in their chairs and the clear, inviting water. It seems as though it will be a safe and fun afternoon that you and your children will enjoy.
However, did you ever think about the kinds of germs and bacteria that also swimming in the same water. Recreational water illnesses are those that are spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools. Chlorine does kill these germs but it is important to understand that it takes time. Germs are not killed immediately! Even well maintained pools can transmit germs from one person to the water and ultimately to you and your children before the chlorine has managed to terminate them. Children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk to suffer from recreational water illnesses.
The most common source of germs and bacteria in the water comes from human fecal matter and coincidently diarrhea is the most commonly reported recreational water illness. Infectious diarrhea can contain hundreds of millions to a billion germs in a single fecal accident. Also, did you know that on average people have about 0.14g of feces on their bottoms which can contaminate pool water?!
Diapers on infants will swell once in contact with pool water causing fecal matter to easily leak into the pool that everyone is swimming in. Special swim diapers are resistant to swelling in water but are NOT leak proof and may give parents and pool staff a false sense of security regarding fecal contamination. Swim diapers and pants are not a solution for a child with diarrhea or a substitute for frequent diaper changing.
A properly maintained pool with continuous filtration and disinfection of water should help reduce the risk of spreading illness. However, it is still possible to be exposed to billions of germs during the time it takes for chlorine to work or water to be recycled through the filters. Here are 6 simple tips that can be used to keep you and your children safe from recreational water illnesses and reduce spreading.
Don’t swim when you have diarrhea
Don’t swallow pool water and avoid getting it in your mouth
Practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming, wash your hands after using the toilet and/or changing a diaper.
Take your kids on regular bathroom breaks and check diapers often (every 30 – 60 minutes).
Change diapers in the bathroom or a diaper changing area, not poolside.
Wash your child thoroughly with soap and water (near the rear) before swimming.
References:
Center for Disease Control. (2008). Six “PLEAs” For Healthy Swimming: Protection Against Recreational Water Illnesses. Healthy Swimming. Retrieved January, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/6_pleas.htm
Center for Disease Control. (2007). Questions and Answers. Healthy Swimming. Retrieved January, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/w_print.htm
Center for Disease Control. (2007). Swim Diapers and Swim Pants. Healthy Swimming. Retrieved January, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/swim_diapers.htm
Center for Disease Control. (2007). Diarrhea and Spreading Illness at the Pool. Healthy Swimming. Retrieved January, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/diarrhea.htm
However, did you ever think about the kinds of germs and bacteria that also swimming in the same water. Recreational water illnesses are those that are spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools. Chlorine does kill these germs but it is important to understand that it takes time. Germs are not killed immediately! Even well maintained pools can transmit germs from one person to the water and ultimately to you and your children before the chlorine has managed to terminate them. Children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk to suffer from recreational water illnesses.
The most common source of germs and bacteria in the water comes from human fecal matter and coincidently diarrhea is the most commonly reported recreational water illness. Infectious diarrhea can contain hundreds of millions to a billion germs in a single fecal accident. Also, did you know that on average people have about 0.14g of feces on their bottoms which can contaminate pool water?!
Diapers on infants will swell once in contact with pool water causing fecal matter to easily leak into the pool that everyone is swimming in. Special swim diapers are resistant to swelling in water but are NOT leak proof and may give parents and pool staff a false sense of security regarding fecal contamination. Swim diapers and pants are not a solution for a child with diarrhea or a substitute for frequent diaper changing.
A properly maintained pool with continuous filtration and disinfection of water should help reduce the risk of spreading illness. However, it is still possible to be exposed to billions of germs during the time it takes for chlorine to work or water to be recycled through the filters. Here are 6 simple tips that can be used to keep you and your children safe from recreational water illnesses and reduce spreading.
Don’t swim when you have diarrhea
Don’t swallow pool water and avoid getting it in your mouth
Practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming, wash your hands after using the toilet and/or changing a diaper.
Take your kids on regular bathroom breaks and check diapers often (every 30 – 60 minutes).
Change diapers in the bathroom or a diaper changing area, not poolside.
Wash your child thoroughly with soap and water (near the rear) before swimming.
References:
Center for Disease Control. (2008). Six “PLEAs” For Healthy Swimming: Protection Against Recreational Water Illnesses. Healthy Swimming. Retrieved January, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/6_pleas.htm
Center for Disease Control. (2007). Questions and Answers. Healthy Swimming. Retrieved January, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/w_print.htm
Center for Disease Control. (2007). Swim Diapers and Swim Pants. Healthy Swimming. Retrieved January, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/swim_diapers.htm
Center for Disease Control. (2007). Diarrhea and Spreading Illness at the Pool. Healthy Swimming. Retrieved January, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/diarrhea.htm
posted by carol cox @ 11:05 AM
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