Avoid Getting Sick When Swimming
Recreational Water Illnesses Awareness Week -- May 24-30, 2010
There are steps you can take to help avoid getting sick from swimming - called Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs).
What are RWIs?
RWIs are illnesses that are spread by coming in contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains, lakes, rivers, and oceans. These illnesses can be caused by germs such as E. coli, Shigella, Giardia, Norovirus, and Cryptosporidium. These bugs can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
How do people get a RWI?
Swimmers who are ill and have diarrhea may contaminate the swimming pool, hot tub, river, lake, or ocean that you are swimming in. Chlorine does kill these germs but it takes time. Some germs may take up to a few days before the chlorine will kill it.
Keeping Germs Out of the Pool -- It's Up to Everyone
For All Swimmers
- Do not swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
- Try not to swallow the pool water. In fact, avoid getting water in your mouth as much as possible.
- Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet. Germs on your body end up in the water.
For Parents of Young Children
- Take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear "I have to go" may mean it's too late.
- Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and cause illness. Always wash hands after diaper-changing.
- Do not let children swim when they have diarrhea. It can spread germs in the water and make other people sick. This is very important for kids in diapers.
- Wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming. Everyone has invisible amounts of fecal matter on their bottoms that will end up in the pool.
- Teach kids not to swallow the pool water or squirt pool water from their mouths.
For More Information
Aquatics Staff Resources