Immersing and cooling yourself in the swimming pool during a sunny day can be very refreshing and thrilling.
However, as there is an increase in temperature, a lot of people flood the poolside and the place is dense with people because they all want to cool off their bodies during the summertime.
Despite the fact that caretakers of the pool insert chemicals in the water such as chlorine and bromine that kills the bacteria and viruses, some other stubborn germs may be actively wandering in the water and it is very crucial to know how you can prevent yourself from being affected by them.
According to Jasen Kunz who is at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Waterborne Branch, one can incur swimming-related diseases as a result of contaminated water.
Luckily, some precautionary measures are available for one to follow in order to minimize the chances of infections from the water.
Diarrhea
A very popular or familiar swimming-related disease is diarrhoea.
A host of germs can inundate the water when someone suffering from diarrhoea has an accident and others may fall victim to this should they swallow a minute amount of the water.
Also, it is always not the case of someone with diarrhoea getting an accident that can only lead to others falling ill. Little particles of the fecal matter can drop out whilst people are swimming so you will not necessarily notice it in the water.
A host of germs that will be in the water that someone else will infected with include norovirus, giardia, cryptosporidium, shigella and E. coli.
One may suffer illnesses like diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, fever or stomach ache based on the pathogen.
You May Incur An Infection Known As Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is an infection resulting from bacteria when the water in the pool remains in the outer ear canal.
Per CDC, when the water remains there for a period, it wears down protective wax and skin and gives moisture for bacteria to thrive and multiply.
It is a condition mostly prevalent in children and is not transmitted from person to person. Some of the indications or symptoms are itchiness, redness, swelling, pain etc.
Irritating Eyes And Rashes
Irritation will be a consequential effect when chlorine is poured into the pool and this turns into chemical irritants after they have blended with sweat, urine and dirt.
Red itchy eyes, rashes, coughing, and nasal irritations are some of the effects resulting from irritants known as chloramines and this explains why it is ideal to take a bath before diving into the swimming pool and never pee in the pool.
Chloramine is not only the effect created when pee, sweat, or makeup interacts with chlorine but it also reduces the quantity of chlorine that can get rid of other germs.
Kunz reveals that irregular pH levels in swimming pools can cause the skin and eyes to irritate.
How To Reduce The Chances Of Getting Sick After A Swimming Session?
There are some very simple measures to adopt to reduce the chances of falling sick if we have been swimming in a public pool.
Besides showering before and after we enter the swimming pool, you may notice that it is more prudent to prevent as much water as possible from entering your mouth when you are swimming.
It is almost inevitable to keep your mouth shut during your swimming session the entire time but ensuring your mouth is not open will help you significantly.
Once you have come out of the pool, ensure to take a bath and wash your ears and body as possibly best as you can. After, dry your ears too as this can enable you to get rid of any pool water from your body and system that can cause an infection.
Before going into the pool, do may do well to check the pool with your eyes carefully. Make sure the drain created in the floor of the pool that must be visible and devoid of dirt, debris and blockages.
Another important thing to look out for is clean water. If the water looks misty and gloomy, there is a high probability that there is bacteria have grown significantly in the water which is very harmful to the body.
You should also run a test on the tiles around the pool. If the tiles are slimy after rubbing your hand on them is an indication that bacteria has overgrown.
Can You Smell Chlorine?
A lot of swimming pools have a common scent but the scent should not be overly strong or nosy. If the latter is affirmative, it is possible the chlorine has many contaminants to work on and that is not a good indicator.
A very dominant smell of chlorine is not basically the disinfectant itself as it may have emanated from chloramines that are produced when the chlorine is performing its task.
The basic principle here is to make sure you do all that you can to keep the pool very clean.
Be privy to inspection reports for the particular swimming pool you are going to get your body into prior to the activity so as to discover any health or safety challenges or problems.
The reports are mostly found at the venue or on the local health department’s website.
If you are in the pool with kids or babies, make sure to change their diapers outside the pool to avoid water contamination with germs. Children who wear diapers no more must take bathroom breaks frequently.
A very significant precaution is to avoid swallowing the water and not enter the pool with an open wound or injury.
CDC advises those who still wish to enter the pool to do so only if they wear a waterproof bandage to fully cover the cut or wound.
