Swimming pools provide hours of fun for children and adults, but they come with risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 3,500 fatal drownings occurred in 2007, and many of these took place in swimming pools. Proper supervision, swim lessons and basic safety precautions can prevent many of the life-threatening health issues related to swimming pools, but it's also important to understand the health issues that receive less publicity.
Cryptosporidium
When you swim in a pool with chemicals, the chlorine or bromine in the water works to kill off bacteria and other germs in order to prevent the spread of recreational water illnesses. It's not a foolproof system, however. According to the CDC, chlorine kills many germs immediately, but certain germs, such as Cryptosporidium, take longer to die and can cause diarrhea and illness. To avoid the spread of Cryptosporidium, commonly known as Crypto, make sure you don't swallow pool water. Crypto often spreads when ill children urinate in the pool or bring feces into the pool with them. To prevent the spread of Crypto, shower off before and after you swim in a pool and make sure young children wear swim diapers and plastic pants while in the water. If you see a toddler without a swim diaper on, ask the lifeguard about the rule and suggest that the facility sell or provide diapers.
If lifeguards have to clear the pool due to a fecal incident, always shower off with soap, and make sure the pool follows state-mandated guidelines for pool closures after a fecal incident. For solid matter, most pools will open after 30 minutes. In cases of diarrhea, the pool should stay closed long enough to raise the chlorine to a "shockable" level, allowing the pool to experience a full water turnover before lowering the chlorine level and opening the pool.
Swimmer's Ear
According to the KidsHealth website, otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer's ear, is a bacterial infection of the ear that usually occurs when the protective coating of wax along the ear canal is washed away and bacteria has the opportunity to grow in the ear. When bacteria grows and becomes infected, you experience redness, swelling, itching and pain. If you suspect swimmer's ear, make an appointment to see your doctor. He will probably prescribe ear drops and instruct you to stay out of the pool for a certain period of time, generally between a week and 10 days. To prevent swimmer's ear, MayoClinic.com suggests wearing earplugs during swimming and cleaning ears with an alcohol-based drop after swimming.
Overheating in a Hot Tub
Many recreation centers and community centers offer hot tubs as part of the aquatic facilities. Most facilities do not allow children to use the hot tubs. Hotels and residential homes don't always have the same rules. Children's internal body temperatures fluctuate more quickly than adults, and children can quickly become overheated while in a hot tub. MayoClinic.com suggests not allowing children in a hot tub unless they can stand with their head above water, and even then, requiring that visits stay short in order to prevent overheating.
Hot Tub Rash
Even though the name implies the the illness only occurs in a hot tub, unfortunately you can also contract Hot Tub Rash in a swimming pool. According to the CDC, hot tub rash generally occurs in pools with poorly maintained chemical levels. You may experience a bumpy rash on your skin, particularly on areas that were covered by a swim suit. In some cases you may even get lesions or pus-filled blisters. To avoid contracting this rash, always shower off after exiting the pool, making sure you remove and wash your bathing suit. Ask the pool manager how often the chemicals are tested, and whether you can see the most recent chemical readings. Chlorine levels should range between one to five parts per million, while pH should range from 7.2 to 7.8. Chemicals outside of this range could prevent bacteria from being effectively killed and could irritate the skin.
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