Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs
Follow Six 'Pleas' to Keep Germs Out of the Pool
By NUI
Feb 2, 2005, 16:25

(NUI) - Every year, swimming pools are filled with millions of people having fun and staying cool, but unaware that they may become ill from germs in the water.

These recreational water illnesses are caused by germs like "Crypto" (short for Cryptosporidium), E. coli O157:H7 and Shigella, and are spread by accidentally swallowing water that has been contaminated with fecal matter. These germs can contaminate water in swimming pools, hot tubs, waterparks, lakes and the ocean.

Germs causing recreational water illnesses are killed by chlorine, but chlorine doesn't work right away. It takes time to kill germs. Plus, some germs like Crypto are resistant to chlorine and can live in pools for days. That is why even the best maintained pools can spread illness.

Healthy swimming behaviors are needed to protect you and your family from recreational water illnesses. Practicing these behaviors will help stop germs from getting in the pool. Follow these six "pleas" from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthy Swimming Project:

* Please don't swim when you have diarrhea. This is especially important for kids in diapers. You can spread germs into the water and make other people sick.

* Please don't swallow pool water. In fact, try your best to avoid even having water get in your mouth.

* Please wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet or changing diapers. You can protect others by remembering that germs on your body end up in the water.

* Please take your kids on bathroom breaks often. Waiting to hear "I have to go" may mean that it's too late.

* Please change diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool.

* Please wash your child thoroughly (especially his or her rear end) with soap and water before swimming. We all have invisible amounts of fecal matter on our bottoms that end up in the pool.

For more information about how to protect yourself and your family from recreational water illnesses, go online to www.healthyswimming.org.