Summertime means sunshine, laughter, and… swimming! But while splashing around in the pool can be refreshing and fun, it can also be a breeding ground for certain illnesses.

Here are three common culprits you should be aware of:

1. Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa): This painful infection of the ear canal is caused by bacteria or fungi trapped in the moist environment of the ear. It’s often triggered by water remaining in the ear canal after swimming, making it a common problem among swimmers, especially children.

Symptoms: Ear pain, itching, redness, swelling, and sometimes even discharge.

Prevention:

Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming. Tilt your head to the side and gently shake out excess water.

Use earplugs to prevent water from entering the ear canal.

Avoid swimming in polluted or unclean water.

2. Diarrheal Illness: While not always a direct result of swimming, contaminated pool water can harbor bacteria and viruses that cause gastrointestinal illness. This can happen if someone with an active diarrheal infection enters the pool, spreading the germs through their feces.

Symptoms: Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Prevention:

Practice good hygiene, especially after using the restroom.

Don’t swim if you have diarrhea.

Supervise young children in the bathroom and around the pool.

3. Respiratory Infections: Pool water itself isn’t the culprit here. Instead, the problem lies in the airborne droplets released when people cough or sneeze in the pool environment. These droplets can carry viruses like the common cold, influenza, and even the potentially serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Symptoms: Runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.

Prevention:

Avoid swimming if you are sick.

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

Practice good hand hygiene.

Staying Safe:

Remember, even well-maintained pools can harbor germs.

Here are some tips to stay healthy while enjoying your aquatic adventures:

Shower before entering the pool. This helps wash away any germs you may be carrying.

Avoid swallowing pool water.

Wash your hands thoroughly after swimming.

Stay hydrated.

By taking simple precautions, you can minimize the risk of catching these common illnesses and enjoy a healthy and happy swimming experience!