Recreational Water Illnesses
Tips on
staying healthy at Spray Parks,
Swimming Pools and Beaches
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Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs like "Crypto" (KRIP-toe),
short for Cryptosporidium, Giardia (gee-ARE-dee-uh), E.
coli 0157:H7, and Shigella (Shi-GE-luh) and are spread by
accidentally swallowing water that has been contaminated with fecal matter.
How does a pool get contaminated? You share the water with everyone in the
pool. If someone with diarrhea contaminates the water, swallowing the water
can make you sick.
The great news is that germs
causing recreational water illnesses are killed by
chlorine. However, chlorine doesn't work right away. It takes time to kill
germs and some germs like Crypto are chlorine resistant and can live in
pools for days. This is why even the best-maintained pools can spread
illness. Therefore, healthy swimming behaviors are needed to protect you and
your kids from recreational water illnesses
and will help stop germs from getting in the pool in the first place.
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Tips for avoiding a recreational water illness:
Patrons should always practice good
hygiene. It is important to shower before swimming or using spray park
features and always wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
Germs on one's body may get into the water. |
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Patrons should never drink the water when swimming or using spray park
features and should avoid betting water in their mouths to prevent potential
illness. It is important to note that water at most spray parks is recycled
and should not be consumed. |
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Patrons must never use spray park features, swimming pools or beaches when
they have diarrhea. This is especially important for infants and
toddlers in diapers. This may spread germs in the water and make other
people sick. |
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Patrons with children should take them for bathroom breaks and/or check
their diapers often. Children's diapers should be changed in a
bathroom and not near spray park features, swimming pools or beach areas to
prevent the spread of germs and illness. |
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Protect your family at
the pool this summer (CDC)
Pool User Tips
(CDC)
Illnesses
sometimes spread through recreational water in the United States:
Cryptosporidium (CDC)
Giardia
(CDC)
Norovirus
(CDC)
Salmonellosis
(CDC)
Viral Gastroenteritis
(CDC)
E. Coli 0157:H7
(CDC)
Information
courtesy of New York State Department of Health and The Centers for Disease
Control |
