Diseases Acquired From Swimming Pool Contamination

No one would ever dare miss summer without a visit to a resort or beach. However, as summer draws intensely, local swimming pools, neighborhood pools and vacation hotels may become a highly susceptible carrier of infectious diseases. Even the most fun-filled recreational activity poses several health risks, so before you shop around for tankinis and G-Strings, you better acquaint yourself with the various infections transmitted through public swimming pools.

There are several infectious diseases that have been associated with swimming pools, spa tubs, and therapy pools. The pool water that was exposed to people with contagious diseases can potentially harm other swimmers. Strangers who share the body fluids within the contaminated water can get bacterial and skin infections leading to worse health problems.

Hepatitis A

The widespread of this communicable disease is common in public recreational pools with inadequate sanitation, overcrowded space, and poor water flow. Hepatitis can be acquired through direct contact or consumption of raw sewage.

Once a person accidentally swallows contaminated water, he automatically acquires the virus present here which can lead to serious health conditions such as nausea, low-grade fever, rash, fatigue, jaundice, and liver pain.

Hepatitis A can be best controlled by improving the level of pool cleaning, proper chlorination and personal hygiene in and around the swimming pool area. Since hepatitis A is spread through contamination, train children and yourself not to swallow pool water.

Pseudomonas

Pseudomonas bacteria multiply rapidly in warm water environments such as spa and hot tubs. It is the source of a variety of illnesses including skin infections such as “hot tub folliculitus” and “swimmer’s ear”. The skin rashes produce the same appearance akin to chicken pox inflammation. Being physically fit doesn’t guarantee that you’re not susceptible to this disease. Healthy individuals who are exposed to the contaminated water sources such as hot tubs, whirlpools, spas, and water parks may develop symptoms.

Shigellosis

Shigellosis or “bacillary dysentery” is characterized by fever, nausea, vomit, cramps, and diarrhea. The bacteria is transmitted directly or indirectly via the fecal-oral route and may occur due to the ingestion of contaminated food or water in pools and spas.

Giardiasis

Giardia is one of the main causes of diarrhea in the United States which targets children more than adults. It is often characterized by abdominal cramps, chronic diarrhea, steatorrhea, bloating, frequent loose and pale greasy stools, malabsorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins, and weight loss. The disease can be transmitted from contaminated shallow wells and creational waters such as swimming pools and wading pools.

The outbreak of these communicable diseases can be controlled through proper and habitual spa maintenance and pool maintenance.

Prior to hiring a pool cleaning service and maintenance, pool and spa owners are advised to install sufficient bathrooms and hand washing stations in their vicinities to help keep the water from becoming contaminated.

Aside from a swimming pool cleaning service, disinfecting the water is also another way to reduce the contamination. While a majority of systems rely on chlorine, there are a few disinfectant alternatives to kill pathogens.