It should really go without saying, but for everyone’s sake, please avoid entering a swimming pool if you’ve had diarrhea recently. The same applies if you’ve been vomiting. Honestly, how about steering clear of public spaces altogether if you’ve had any kind of liquid expulsion from your body in the recent past?
I don’t mean to be graphic, but this is an important message that seems obvious to many, yet is lost on some. The CDC has issued a reminder (something they seem to do annually, unfortunately) about this very concern, especially with summer approaching. They highlighted a rise in cases of cryptosporidium—an unpleasant parasite that can contaminate pool water with infected feces.
In 2016, there were at least 32 reported cases of cryptosporidium at pools or water parks, a significant increase from 16 cases in 2014. While these numbers might appear minor, the reality is that the Crypto parasite poses serious health risks. It can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting for an extended period—up to three weeks. This is particularly concerning for young children and the elderly, who are more susceptible to dehydration.
One major issue with cryptosporidium is that it can survive chlorine treatments for up to 10 days. It only takes a small amount of contaminated water to make someone sick. While most people don’t intend to drink pool water, children are often less careful, and it’s not solely our responsibility to ensure they don’t ingest it. It’s crucial for everyone to act responsibly and keep sick individuals away from public pools.
The CDC offers further guidance for pool-goers, such as refraining from swimming if you’ve had diarrhea in the past two weeks, taking showers before entering the water, providing frequent bathroom breaks for kids, and regularly checking swim diapers for any signs of feces.
Before you decide to avoid pools entirely this summer (and I admit, I’m tempted to), keep in mind that properly maintained pools are generally safe. However, not all pools are kept to the same standards, and the cleanliness practices of others may vary. When it comes to lakes and untreated water, the risks increase significantly—proceed with caution.
The good news is that most people wouldn’t intentionally bring themselves or their sick children into a crowded body of water. As a result, outbreaks of infections in pools are relatively rare. We shouldn’t let these concerns overshadow our enjoyment of summer fun in the water.
That said, I’ll probably be haunted by the thought of a contaminated pool for quite some time. And I understand that accidents happen; sometimes you may not even realize you or your child is unwell before entering the pool. However, if anyone thinks it’s acceptable to swim in a public pool after experiencing diarrhea—even just a day or two ago—I sincerely hope our paths never cross.
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Summary
It’s essential to avoid swimming in public pools if you’ve had diarrhea or vomiting recently, as it can lead to the spread of the cryptosporidium parasite, which is resistant to chlorine. Practicing good hygiene and being considerate of others can help keep everyone safe and healthy this summer.