During the summer, swimming pools and beaches are popular places to cool off and enjoy the sun. However, few consider the health hazards they sometimes present. Pool and beach water have bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that cause illnesses, some of them serious.
Swimmers should take precautions to prevent illness. They should not swallow water from the pool or beach, wash their hands frequently and not swim with wounds on their skin.
Swimming outdoors relieves stress and increases our endorphins, hormones related to pleasure, which create a sense of well-being while burning calories by working our muscles. But, the joys of swimming outdoors have dangers. For example, the sewage that regularly flows into seas, rivers, and lakes always lurks with viruses and bacteria.
In addition, it is essential to remember that swimming in a pool also carries certain risks, usually well-identified: urinary tract infections, otitis, and stomach pains. Inadequately maintained pools cause eye irritation and tingling and are a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and germs. They can also contain traces of urine, feces, and even human sweat.
If bathing or swimming at the beach carries as many risks as in the pool, the question is, where are we safer? The answer is complicated, as the presence of toxic agents is often invisible. A good tip: trust your survival instinct if the water is not clear or the surrounding air does not smell good.
Outdoor waters also present natural hazards compared to swimming pools, especially in summer. Blue algae or cyanobacteria are bacteria found naturally in lake ecosystems. During hot summers, they multiply and form a greenish foam on the water’s surface. This blue algae bloom releases toxins that are harmful to humans and sometimes deadly to pets. Do not let your dog bathe or drink there.
Swimming or swallowing water where algae is present causes skin rashes, eye irritation, severe gastrointestinal disorders, fever, and muscle and joint pain.
Diarrhea is the most common illness associated with swimming in open water, frequently due to its contamination by sewage. In addition, leptospirosis causes liver and kidney damage and is fatal if untreated. See a doctor if you have flu, like symptoms or jaundice for up to two weeks after swimming.
