Water-Related Recreational Water Illnesses

There are many water-related recreational water illnesses. Gastrointestinal disturbances, ear, eye, skin, respiratory infections, neurologic disorders, and infections of open wounds are among the problems that swimming in tainted waters can cause. The most common illness spawned by water is diarrhea, which is caused by ingesting cryptosporidium, shigella, giardia, norovirus or E.coli germs. Swallowing, inhaling mists or aerosols, or general contact with contaminated water can cause RWIs. They can also be caused by chemicals in the water or chemicals that evaporate from the water and cause indoor air quality problems.

Over the past two decades, recreational water illnesses are on the rise, with most outbreaks attributed to swimming incidents. Even the best-maintained and most health-conscious pools can be the site of a cryptosporidium outbreak because the virus can stay alive for days in the hot, moist conditions. From 2004 to 2008, reported crypto cases rose from 3,400 to more than 10,000, a 200 percent increase from the 2004 to 2008 period.

Pools also can cause other problems. Here are four that can be caused by swimming in public:

1)    Researchers have found that chlorine increases your risk of developing asthma, with the chemical reaction of chlorine mixed with sweat, urine, skin and hair contributing to the problem.

2)    Legionnaire’s disease is a bacterial lung infection that resembles pneumonia and can be caused by indoor pool water vapor. Its symptoms include a high fever, cough, shortness of breath and muscle aches.