Can A Swimming Pool Give You Diarrhea?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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When someone

swallows contaminated recreational water

—water in pools, hot tubs, water playgrounds, or oceans, lakes, and rivers— they can get sick with diarrhea. In fact, diarrhea is the most common illness spread through recreational water.

Can chlorine water give you diarrhea?

Stomachaches, vomiting, and diarrhea

can all be effects of ingesting chlorine

, and it can also cause dry, itchy skin.

Can you get sick from a swimming pool?

It’s important to remember that chlorine does not kill all germs instantly. There’s always a chance you’re swimming in contaminated water. Swimming pools, water parks and hot tubs all pose risk.

Swallowing just a little bit of contaminated water can make you sick

.

Can poop in a pool make you sick?

When a person who is sick with diarrhea gets in the water, that tiny amount of poop on their body can wash into the water around them and

contaminate it with germs

. If someone else swallows the contaminated water, they can become infected.

Can you catch stomach bug from swimming pool?

WPMI — A lot of the symptoms of the stomach bug are picked up in the swimming pool. And stomach bugs are easily passed around. During this most wonderful time of year, perfect pool weather, be careful of pool infections. Doctors say there’s parasites, bacteria, intestinal viruses, all that and more in swimming pools.

Can you get STDs from swimming pools?

Appropriate chlorine and chemical levels are maintained to kill bacteria and viruses, including those that cause sexually transmitted diseases. STDs are typically transmitted during sexual contact and, as of yet,

there are no documented cases of anyone contracting an STD from swimming in a pool

.

What diseases can you get from a swimming pool?

Germs like

crypto, E. coli, and giardia

are spread in public pools where chlorine and pH levels are too low. Symptoms of all three illnesses include diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and stomach cramps.

What if someone poops in the pool?

What should I do if someone poops in the pool? …

Do not vacuum the poop from the pool

. Clean as much poop as possible from the item used to remove the poop and dispose of it in a sanitary manner. Disinfect the item used to remove the poop by immersing it in the pool during the 30-minute disinfection time described below.

How long to wait after someone poops in the pool?

Figure 2. Crypto Inactivation Time for a Diarrheal Fecal Incident Free Chlorine Level (ppm) Disinfection Time

1 , 2
10 1,530 minutes (25.5 hours) 20 765 minutes (12.75 hours) 40 383 minutes (

6.5 hours

)

Why should you not swim after diarrhea?


Tiny amounts of poop are rinsed off swimmers’ bottoms as they swim through the water

. If someone with infectious diarrhea (which can contain up to one billion germs) gets in recreational water, germs can be washed off their bottom and contaminate the water.

Can you get sick from swimming in a pool without chlorine?

Can you get sick by swimming in public pools? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says outbreaks of a parasitic infection called

cryptosporidia

What bacteria is found in swimming pools?


Escherichia coli

was detected in 32% of chlorine-treated pools and 8% of Baquacil-treated pools. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 36% of chlorine-treated pools and in 8% of Baquacil-treated pools. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in 7% of chlorine-treated pools, but not at all in Baquacil-treated pools.

Should you be worried about germs in swimming pool?

In addition, pool supply stores, and even many large supermarkets, sell test strips that you can use to test chlorine and pH levels yourself.

Don’t swim if you’re sick

. If you (or your child) have diarrhea or are recovering from diarrhea, avoid spreading germs by getting into a pool.

Can you catch chlamydia in a swimming pool?

Swimming pools or hot tubs. Shared clothing. (be re-infected) even if you had it before and were successfully treated.

How long do STDs live on clothes?

According to the CDC, Hep B

Can you get sick from swimming in a pool with algae?

Whether mild or severe, it isn’t recommended. Significant amounts of swimming pool algae welcome a breeding ground of

harmful

bacteria that feed on algae. These bacteria pose health risks to swimmers, most commonly resulting in a skin rash. It can also cause various bacterial infections of the ears or eyes.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.