STOP SWIMMING Until You Read This!
Dear Reader,
Summer is finally in full swing, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than jumping in an ice-cold, fresh-water stream after a long hike through the Tucson desert.
But you’ll never see me dip so much as my big toe in a public swimming pool.
Not at the YMCA. Not at the local country club. Not anywhere.
As far as I’m concerned, they’re nothing more than chemical-laden disease-infested cesspools—and after reading what I’m about to tell you, I’m sure you’ll agree with me.
That’s because a recent report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminded me, once again, of why I find public pools so repulsive:
According to the CDC, the outbreaks of a nasty diarrhea-causing parasitic infection from cryptosporidium have DOUBLED at swimming pools since 2014.
And I’m sad to say that in my home state of Arizona, the number of people who became sick last year was 7 TIMES higher than it had been in previous years.
Crypto causes watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, or vomiting that can last for up to THREE weeks. It can make the healthiest person miserable, but in those with compromised immune systems, it can be deadly.
Crypto spreads when people swallow something that has come in contact with the feces of an infected person. Yes, you read that right.
Even in a full-sized community pool, swallowing just one mouthful of water that an infected person swam in can make you sick. It can also be spread by something as seemingly innocent as a parent changing the diaper of an infected child and then getting in the pool without washing their hands.
But what about the chlorine? You’re probably wondering. Doesn’t that kill everything?
Nope. These hardy critters can live up to 10 days in a pool with standard levels of chlorine and other disinfectants.
No, to kill this bug, a pool needs to be shut down and hyperchlorinated. Of course, that only happens after dozens of people come down with a nasty case of the runs.
My advice to you today is to never, ever set foot in a public swimming pool.
But if you’re going to wad up that piece of advice and toss it out the window, at least consider following this one simple precaution: Whatever you do, don’t swallow the water.
There are also a few steps you can take to help make sure you’re not contributing to the problem:
- If your kids or grandkids have diarrhea, don’t let them swim.
- Take kids on regular bathroom breaks.
- Shower off before getting in the pool to remove any germs you may be carrying.
- If someone has been diagnosed with Crypto, stay out of the pool for a full two weeks after the diarrhea has stopped.
To a brighter day,
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
